USAF F-16's disturb Arizona resident

Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.

A certain Lieutenant Colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit. The complaint:

'Question of the day for Luke Air ForceBase: Whom do we thank for the morning air show?

Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.'

The response: Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets'

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m, a perfectly timed four-ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m., on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured. A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?'

The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you ... Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
s/ Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF

Livetoday to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Conserative or Liberal: Where do YOU want to live?

LIBERAL: Marked by generosity; lacking moral restraint; broad-minded; not bound by authoritarianism or traditional forms; not strict; loose; largeness in the thing or amount given.

CONSERVATIVE: Tending or disposed to maintaining existing views, conditions or institutions; traditional norms of taste, elegance, style or manners; cautious or discreet.

(Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary)

It is now being reported that the liberal media has produced a porno movie (Yes! Porno movie!) starring a Sarah Palin look-alike! It is also being reported that the liberal community is all giddy over this new "movie" and is talking-it-up as a "must see" movie. (QUICK: Open the door ... I need to get outside to puke!)

Did you read what I just wrote? The liberal community can't wait to see this piece of $hit. While we usually can't control what other people do, the real story here is: I challenge you to find much condemnation of this travesty from the "open-minded liberals."

I pose this question: What you you think would happen if someone produced a porno movie starring a Barack Obama or a Michelle Obama look-alike? OH MY GOD ... I can't even visualize that one?

So, where do YOU want to live?

In a community with no standards, promise you everything you want, take from the hard working, job creating, upper-income earners and give to the under performing slackers, pal around with haters and terrorists and generally endorse an "anything goes" attitude? A constantly changing, unpredictable, possibly unstable or risky environment? "Wink" at outrageous behaviour? Mantra: We don't like it so we'll TEAR IT DOWN.

Or in a community where there are long-held standards of conduct; recognition of excellent performance; "teach a man to fish, rather than give him a fish;" hold a person responsible for reprehensible behaviour and "tell it like it is," rather than telling them what they want to hear. Traditional conservative values that you can count on from year to year. Mantra: We don't like it so we'll WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE IT.

Me: I'll take the latter.

GO TEAM GO!

Go Team Go!

The current Presidential race seems to me more like a sporting game, where, regardless of the score or misdeeds of the players, the fans are loyal.
Hear no evil - see no evil.

Go Team Go!

No matter how much evidence you might present to the contrary, each side has their "loyal supporter" tee-shirts on, know the team chants and summarily dismisses any notion that "their team" might be involved in any mischief ... makes no difference.

Go Team Go!

The only thing that counts is that their team wins!

Go Team Go!

Wait and see: No matter who wins, the losers will loudly squeal and cry the other team cheated or the "officials" threw the game!

Go Team Go!

In case you hadn't noticed, it's a Different Ballgame!

Watch Out What You Wish For

George Bush has been in office for 7 ½ years.

For about the first six years, the economy was fine. A little over one year ago:

1. Consumer confidence stood at a 2½ year high
2. Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon
3. The unemployment rate was 4.5%
4. The DOW JONES hit a record high: 14,000+
5. American's were buying new cars, taking cruises, vacations overseas, living large!

Americans wanted 'CHANGE'!

So, in 2006 they voted in a DemocraticCongress and yes--we got 'CHANGE' all right.

In the PAST YEAR:

1. Consumer confidence has plummeted
2. Gasoline is now close to $4 a gallon
3. Unemployment is up over 5.5% (a 10% increase)
4. Americans have seen their home equity drop by $12 TRILLION DOLLARS and prices are still dropping
5. 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
6. Banks are failing
7. And as I write, stocks are probing another low

$2.5 TRILLION DOLLARS HAS EVAPORATEDFROM THEIR STOCKS, BONDS & MUTUAL FUNDS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS!

YES, IN 2006 AMERICA VOTED FOR CHANGE...AND WE SURE GOT IT!

KEY POINT: THE PRESIDENT HAS NO CONTROL OVER ANY OF THESE ISSUES, ONLY CONGRESS DOES.

WHAT HAS CONGRESS DONE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO PREVENT THIS?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

NOW THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, ALONG WITH A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, CLAIMS HE IS GOING TO "REALLY GIVE US CHANGE!"

HOW MUCH MORE 'CHANGE' DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STAND?

9/11/2001 - 2008

Lest We Forget

The evil is still with us. If we let our guard down - It's "Lights Out!"

Family Time

R J Ranch, August 14, 2008

(CLICK photo for a larger image)

We can learn a great deal from something as simple as a family of quail. To see this family strolling through our yard is a heart warming sight, indeed. Leading the family is "Daddy Quail," followed by the "kids," with "Mom" bring up the rear to keep stragglers in line.

We see this new family out looking for food, almost daily. Usually, they head for the garden to see what bugs and insects are available. Always, they travel together as a family.

My thoughts are: Why can't our modern-day families be as loyal, trusting and devoted to the well-being of everyone. Quail mate for life, so unless somthing happens, the parents stay together forever and raise each new family until they are off on their own.

If something scares the quail family, they seem to fly off, somewhat in the same direction, but always find their way back together again.

The World and it's Creatures are a wonderful experience!

PS: Don't even think about asking if you can hunt quail on the R J Ranch!

Food For Thought - Two People's Opinion

-----Original Message-----
From: ####
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008
To: #### (Blog owner)

Subject: Income Concentration at Highest Level Since 1928, New Analysis Shows.
Yeah for the tax cuts! It would be nice if they actually benefited anyone other than the mega wealthy. Here's some good info for you thanks to your buddy W who's had such a hard, hard 8 years. As he said, "It's hard work being the President." N_ s*&^ Dick Tracy. Can't wait until he's gone. Worst President Ever. Undeniable.

http://www.cbpp.org/3-27-08tax2.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi: ####
Point 1: In my mind I see this way: Those people that "get it" are earning more money, building more job creating businesses, paying more taxes and generally doing quite well ... Thank You! The lower earners are those that listened to their iPod's and text-messaged their buddies during school time ... And joined the 40% of the current US crop of "students" that dropped out of school, ended up in dead-end jobs, went to the Emergency Room when they were sick (because they preferred to have a "hot car" and/or a gigantic plasma TV rather than medical insurance) and ... complain loudly about the great division between "have's and have-not's." The later group is in the "I want it NOW" group, but have no desire to WORK for it.

Point 2: While I certainly don't endorse everything JWB has done, (Or Carter, Clinton, Nixon, Johnson, JFK or Theodore Roosevelt and many others, for that matter) the problem is the country has needlessly become very polarized, like a school-yard fight. No one listens, or wins, but even worse, no one learns. J W Bush has done an excellent job under an excruciating situation. It's almost unforgivable to toss tomatoes when you are comfortably sitting at home in the greatest and safest country ever known to man. Easy to do ... But not too smart, in my opinion. "Worst President Ever. Undeniable" ... I don't think so!

Best regards, ####

Ps: I wish I were Bush's "buddy," but I don't run in those circles. About the only thing we have in common is we both flew F-102's. Everyone I knew that flew F-102's was a very accomplished person. (The F-102 was a single-engine, single-seat, supersonic all-weather fighter-interceptor. You either "had it together" or you made like a lawn-dart!)