ScaifeNet because we can't let Soros have all the fun...

Sold, crisp, clean!! No other group mimics their studio performances on a live stage as well is the three man band form Toronto!

Amazing Stage presence!



Sell out crowd:




Rest of the pics are here!

Can't wait till next time!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Words can not begin to describe the pride I feel. Not only as a dad, but as an American watching around 700 young men and women take the ultimate step to be part of the strongest fighting force on this planet.

I proudly share my Airman whose next step is a 16 hour bus ride to Keesler, Mississippi where for about two months he will attend tech school for Cyber Systems Operations. Some time towards the end of October, or early November, he will graduate from Tech School and earn some much needed leave. He will get 13 days of uncharged leave by participating in the Recruiter Assistance Program, where he will acts as an aid to his recruiter here at home. He is considering using some of his personal leave as well to give him about 3 weeks total back home. This means I should have much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving *smile*

Thanks to everyone's kind words. This is only the beginning of this journey, so I will look for continued support. We won't know what happens after Thanksgiving, that we will find out a few weeks into Tech School. However, I do know this much, odds are either Japan or Germany for starters!

Thanks again!

PROUD Air Force Dadhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Can you believe it's been 8 weeks. WOW!

This afternoon we leave for Lackland via Dallas. Will stop at Dealey Plaza, tomorrow, and arrive in San Antonio Weds AM. I assume Internet will be limited, but I am pretty sure there is WiFi at the Hotel.

The Trainee called Saturday. He passed all physical tests and got a 97% on the academic exam. He's on the bubble for honors grad, but incredibly proud no matter what. I'll keep you posted.

Flash


WEEK 8

– Airmanship and core values
– Formal retreat/Airman’s coin ceremony
– Haircuts
– Technical school briefing
– Commanders departure briefing
– Town pass briefing
– Graduation
Thursday: Airman's Run, Orientation Briefings, Retreat, Honor Graduate Ceremony, and Base Liberty

Airman's Run (8:00am): Cheer the Airmen. Please look below for specific squadron colors.
320 TRS- Red t-shirt
321 TRS- Dark gray t-shirt
322 TRS- Gold t-shirt
323 TRS- Tan t-shirt **Trainee Nick's squadrom **
324 TRS- Maroon t-shirt
326 TRS- Dark blue t-shirt
331 TRS- Black t-shirt

Airman's Coin Ceremony (11:00am)
Honor Graduate Reception (11:45am):
Airman, Spouse and Parent Orientation (1:00pm):
Buffet Dinner Opportunity (12:00pm-7:30pm):
End of Liberty (8:00pm):

Friday: Orientation Briefing, Parade, Open House, Family/Spouse/Parent Orientation, and Town Pass
Transportation to Parade Ground (7:15am-8:30am):
Graduation Parade (9:00am):
Squadron Open House (10:15-11:15am):
Lunch Opportunity (11:30-1:30pm):
Airman, Spouse and Parent Orientation (12:00pm):
Town Pass (12:00pm-8:00pm)
End of Liberty (8:00pm): Airmen are due back in their dormitory.

Saturday
Town Pass (9:00am):  
End of Town Pass (8:00pm): Airmen are due back in their dormitory

Sunday
Religious Services (6:30am-4:00pm):
Special Town Pass (9:00am-6:00pm)
Base Liberty (9:00am):
Sunday brunch (9:30am-1:30pm):
End of Liberty (6:00pm):http://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Let me share anther reason as to why, even though I would argue I lean Right on the overall ideological spectrum, I struggle with even considering being a Republican.

Two term GOP State Senator Paul Koering loses primary and is now leaving the party. Why?Koering begrudges the Minnesota GOP for asking local sheriffs for his law enforcement records in July. He said the state GOP is imposing an increasingly exclusionary "purification process" on members.

"The party that I've called home for 14 years has kind of, in essence, went off the cliff," Koering said. "I always tried to stay with the party to hopefully be a voice of reason within the party. But I found through this campaign that that doesn't work anymore."

The primary appears to have vanquished Koering's appetite for politics; he told the Times his "political days are over."

Koering said he wants Stevenson to succeed him because Gazelka is too ideological to find common ground with DFLers and independents.Yes, he says his party "went off a cliff". I believe that happened many years ago and is nothing new. Sad really!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

I was pretty disconnected from this primary race. Of the three candidates in the DFL Primary, I felt Matt Entenza was clearly the best possible person for the Governor's seat. I know his past was a distraction, but when I put 'Minnesota First' it seemed he had the best ideas, the most balanced approach, and a solid foundation to get the state back on track.

But in the end, I voted for MAK. If I had any regrets I would go back in time and have worked towards a MAK victory. A MAK nomination would have put Emmer in 'stick a fork in him' land. Democrats, moderates like myself, and sensible Republicans would have been able to support her, we would have a issues based campaign, and the people would decide.

So with Dayton the nominee, and Emmer, the Tea Party and Palin chosen one, I expect a blood bath. The greatest fear the Right has is having to run on issues. They know their policies and practices have gotten us into an economic and social mess. A MAK candidacy would have kept this race cleaner. Now the Right will cherry pick the quirks of Senator Dayton and keep the electorate in confusion. The Left will then be on the defensive and continue with the DUIs smear.

The airwaves will be filled with blood and mud. The people will grow weary of juvenile style junior high politics. Classic Right Wing "I know you are but what am I' defenses along with the 'I'm rubber you're glue' gambit will replace what we should do to fix the pending 6 billion dollar deficit without further gutting the budget. We won't here one candidate's desire to further chip away at the bone, cracking into the budget marrow, and sucking it dry, just to appease his rich donor friends. But we will hear about how the other candidate wants to steal every one's money through taxes, rather than the truth of tweaks to bring fairness back into the tax rates.

And sitting back is the IP candidate, who will proclaim he is above all this and if you want to end 'politics as usual' that is where your vote should go.

Sorry, this state can't afford another 4 years of a Governor who is selfish and out of touch while the rest of us suffer. I never thought I would say this, as Senator Dayton was on my 'no way in Hell' list. But since the Right has opted for a Palin style Tea partier, they've alienated me.

Senator, have your people call my people, we have a state to rescue!

Flash

UPDATE: MAK bows out gracefully:“I just spoke with Mark Dayton and congratulated him on winning the DFL primary. I offered him my full support. He will make an excellent governor.

“I am so grateful for all of the hard work of our volunteers and supporters over the last twelve months. This was a people-powered, grassroots campaign and we should all be proud of what we achieved together.

“In Minnesota we value every person’s voice and count every person’s vote. And that’s what happened this election.

“Today we will come together as DFLers. We will unite behind Mark Dayton, and beat Tom Emmer in November.”

Margaret Anderson Kelliherhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Can't believe we are int he home stretch. I leave a week from tomorrow for Lackland AFB. Where has the Summer gone!

WEEK 7

– Air Force history
– Combat stress recovery
– Sexual assault prevention and reporting
– Suicide awareness and prevention
– Financial management
– Sexually transmitted diseases
– Ethics
– Evaluation of drill, reporting and courtesies
– PT (Physical Training) evaluation
– Written test

= = = = = =

On an unrelated note, I have really enjoyed taking some time away from serious posting. I've been doing this for some time and needed to just take a few steps back. Soon I will be re-engaged, but that may not happen till after I get back from Texas.

Enjoy your week!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Koua Fong Lee: A free man after 2.5 years in prison for fatal Toyota crash"It is not a dream."

That's how Koua Fong Lee responded Thursday afternoon when asked how it felt to have his wife's hands clasped around his arm at a St. Paul hotel, to have her stand next to him and to feel her touch after two years and seven months in prison. And after thinking he would spend several more years away from her and their four children.

"Sometimes, when I was sleeping in the cot, I dreamed (I was at home), and then I woke up still in the little room," he said, as his wife, Panghoua Moua, leaned her head against his shoulder and protested, "No. ..."

"But now," Lee said, "my dream has come true." ==
He always said he was innocent; now he's free
After Ramsey County District Judge Joanne Smith ruled that Lee is entitled to a new trial, County Attorney Susan Gaertner said there would be no retrial and no appeal.==

There are still unanswered questions here, not the least of which is why the County Prosecutors would so vigorously proceed in a case where it was pretty clear the driver, Lee, had no reason or intent to cause this accident. It was simply that, an accident, a tragic loss of life due to factors beyond human control.

May all those involved find peace in their lives as we move on from this tragedy.

Flash

CNN posts the story on their front page:
Minnesota judge frees man convicted in acceleration crash of Toyota(CNN) -- A Minnesota man sent to prison after the deadly sudden-acceleration crash of his Toyota Camry has been freed by a judge, and the local prosecutor says he will not be retried.

Ramsey County, Minnesota, District Court Judge Joanne Smith on Thursday ordered Koua Fong Lee released from prison pending a new trial related to the 2006 crash that killed three people. Ramsey County Prosecutor Susan Gaertner immediately said she would drop the charges.

"Mr. Lee will be a free man," Gaertner said in a written statement.http://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

WEEK 6 - The BEAST!

– SERE (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape)
– Deployment briefing
– Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST)

I've booked my hotel and am set for Graduation. We'll be driving down and probably staying in Dallas for a day. I've never been to Dealy Plaza so I can't just drive through without stopping.

The Trainee called Saturday, but we missed his as we were out. Dag Nabbit!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

We are leaving for our annual excursion Up Nort' to da Range. We'll be on Lake Leander, near Britt, MN north of Buhl.

My View will be something like this!

Place nice while I am gone.

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

WEEK 4

– CBRNE/chamber training
– Anti-terrorism/Force protection level I
– Security programs
– Obstacle course
– Weapons evaluation (breakdown and assembly)
– Second clothing issue
– Dress and appearance (service uniform)

==

Got another phone call from Trainee Nick. All is still well and on track. His first words were 'I just got out of the gas chamber' I had to ask if it was some kind of punishment, but it was related to the CBRNE/Chamber training. He even sounded somewhat excited about it.

From here on out things start to get better, TIs (Training Instructors) are more in 'build up' mode rather than 'tear down' mode.

The letter I had sent hi on Saturday already had arrived yesterday so it is good to know mail flows fast. The bad news is, the letter sits in his security locker till Sunday as he isn't allowed to read mail unless authorized.

So he is half over. We are finalizing travel arrangements for BMT graduation towards the end of August and I just can;t wait to see the new man he has become.

Have I mentioned how proud I am!!

Flash
Proud Marine and Air Force Dad!http://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

http://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

I was able to make it to the Waitergate Spin Fest at Ol Mexico yesterday afternoon. By the time I get there the back room was already sealed off, pretty much. Well dressed doorman were restricting access signaling the room was full. However, an Emmer button or a Shirt stating "Proud Conservative" would still get you in. If you were wearing one of the "I am not Overpaid" stickers, you were denied. This didn't mean there was many friendlies int he room. Emmer, for the most part, was flustered, even showing edgy emotion. I found his tone angry and bitter. You could sense the regret.

He attempted to pass blame on the media for misrepresentation, but then a server at the microphone read the transcript back to him, using his own actual words. Lots of cheering for the pro Working Class group. Emmer was spiraling downward, fast, and it was clear as the microphone was being passed around he was waiting for the clock to run out, in fact, ending the even early, and clearing the room accept for the very press he ridiculed.

Since I was not in the room itself, I hung out in the bar area. The audio was being piped in, so you could hear what was going on. But what I found really interesting was the groups of Emmer/GOP supporters with the long faces, growing frustrated as the event wore on. Soon a supporter came out of the back room and approached a group of other Emmer supporters, I overheard:

"What is he doing . . . this is a catastrophe"

And that was pretty much how it went all the way to the end . . . until . . . a lone egotistical idiot became Emmer's best friend. In a rude and improper stunt, this idiot gave Emmer the out he needed, dumping a bag of pennies on the table in front of Emmer. And then started preaching about immigration and the hypocrisy of the Emmer campaign staging their little Town Hall in a Mexican Restaurant.

So what did the media talk about on the news. Did they focus on Emmer's unwillingness to actually engage the very hard working Minnesotans he wants to drive into bankruptcy. Oh hell know, it was all about the pennies. One brief moment within an hour of major Fail for the Emmer campaign. DBrauer did a breakdown and posted on Twitter.Tale of TV tape: #EmmerFest time devoted to penny-pourer: @KARE11 41 sec of 1:58; @KSTP 1:26 of 2:30; @WCCO 8 seconds of 2:29. @fox9kmsp TBD'CCO did the most balanced job, KARE11 even interviewed the idiot and I would expect nothing less from KSTP as the in the bag channel for the MNGOP.

Liberal Media my ass!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Finally heard from Trainee Nick. He sounded GREAT and was very committed to his decisions. I heard no frustration and second guessing.

We had about 15 minute for our first 'conversation' following a couple other phone calls that were very robotic and rushed. This time he was very relaxed, almost excited about 'Hell Week' coming up.

He has passed all inspections, is ahead in his studies and memorization, doing well in PT, and get this, he is in the band *Smile* Now, what that means is he is playing the bass drum to help keep the cadence during marching drills, but still, hey, better than latrine duty LOL.

He gets his Blues this week, and soon the first set of official photographs. Can;t wait to put the fresh crisp Trainee up on the family wall. It will look sharp!

I have his address if anyone is interested, just shoot me a note to:

flash at centrisity dot com

The adventure continues . . .

Flash
Proud Air Force dad!

WEEK 3



– Drill Precision 


- SABC (Self Aid/Buddy Care) under fire
...
– Bleeding control
– Bandages and dressings

– Combat application tourniquet

– Blood clotting agents

– Splint fractures

– Internal bleeding

– Burn treatments

– Shock management

– Airway management

– Spinal injury

– Job Classification Interviewshttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

via Steve Kelly at Comics.com



And in case you missed Lindsey's nails at her sentencing, take a peek.

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

She couldn't do her job the first time, and now she can't even audit her own words. From former Auditor and now perennial Candidate Pat Awada Anderson:

First She Says: "giving local units the ability to levy a half-cent sales tax"And later she says"The last thing we want to do is raise taxes," Anderson stressed."So which is it, do these folks even read what the speak, know what they say, believe what they think?

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Just when I think the faltering DFL campaigns are handing the Statehouse to the GOP for another 4 years, Emmer shows he is the gift that keeps on giving:Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer rekindled a smoldering debate Monday when he said minimum-wage workers who earn tips should have their wages reduced.

Minnesota is one of seven states that forbids employers from using a "tip credit" to avoid paying the full minimum wage otherwise required by law. Now, from a policy stand point, the debate is fair enough to have, but from a political standpoint, this is nothing short of shoving his foot down his throat.In 2008, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $7.75 because it didn't include the tip credit for hourly service workers. Emmer voted against that bill. In 2005, DFLers defeated a tip credit amendment.

Emmer said he supports reinstituting the credit, which he said hasn't existed in Minnesota since 1990. He quoted a 2008 Hospitality Minnesota survey of restaurant owners that said state servers make an average of $15.43 an hour in wages plus gratuities.And in case there is any confusion, this proposal is nothing more than a redistribution of funds from hard working Minnesotans to the wealthy business owners. And the GOP calls the liberals, socialists?!? Maybe they need to look in the mirror.

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Second Week of Training

Integrated Defense
Weapons Cleaning
Career Guidance
Recruit Living Area Progress Checkhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

323d Training Squadron

Mission Statement:
Provides world-class military leadership and training necessary to transform recruits into highly motivated Airmen possessing the foundational warrior attitudes, knowledge, skills and abilities to sustain the world’s greatest Air Force.

Squadron Lineage:
Designated 3703d Training Squadron, and organized, on 26 Aug 1948. Redesignated: 3703d Basic Military Training Squadron on 7 Feb 1952; 323d Basic Training Squadron on 25 Aug 1992; 323d Training Squadron on 1 Apr 1994.

The “Mustangs” proudly wear a TAN colored t-shirt during the Airman’s Run.http://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

via Cagle:http://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

The Fix knows who to keep an eye on:

Six Senators to watch in Kagan confirmation
Making the list, our very own:* Al Franken: The Sotomayor hearings amounted to a public debut of sorts for the comedian turned Minnesota Democratic Senator. And, while Franken did occasionally crack wise, he was generally a low-profile presence on the committee. With another year of Senate service under his belt, does Franken take a different approach to this confirmation? With liberals expressing some concerns about Kagan's past policy positions (or, more accurately, her lack of past policy positions) will Franken take the mantle as liberal champion on the committee and try to draw her out?Franken has turned the heads of even the most staunchest Conservatives, but they would never admit it publicly, the Tea Partiers are watching and any sign if weakness means you are out!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left