Fired Up

FOX News was on the 'ol boob tube as I was eating a fine dinner at the Davey Crockett Travel Center in Greenville, TN and I am friggin HOT! Wow, how's that for a run-on sentence..

Anyway, item number one:

http://foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&content=36191578&pageNum=-1

Here are the first two paragraphs of the article..

"A court order requiring the father of a Marine killed in Iraq to pay court costs of anti-gay protesters who picketed the funeral has not only angered the father -- it is prompting outcry among veterans.

The VFW issued a statement to its members calling on them to help the father, Albert Snyder of York, Pa., pay the $16,510 owed to Fed Phelps, the leader of Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church, which held protests at Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's funeral in 2006."

Are you fucking kidding me?!?!? The judge said it was the protesters First Ammendment Right to protest. BULLSHIT is what I say. I agree that people have every right to protest and say what they want, but at a funeral? C'mon people. What pisses me off even more is that the ring leader of the whole thing is the leader of a church.

Wonder how that asshole would feel if a bunch of people showed up at the funeral of one of his family members that were killed and protested.

This really has me so pissed off, I can hardly type. Common sense is not common at all anymore. The ironic thing is, they were protesting the funeral of an individual that fought and defended their freedom to do that.

I'm just gonna leave it at that before I really piss people off and go down the religious road and what I think of it all and this Baptist church...

The second issue has to due with the Mexican Border:

http://topstories.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=17224&content=36180145&pageNum=-1

Hang on to your hats on this one ladies and gentlemen...

First, let me applaud Sen. McCain on changing his mind about putting military troops on the boarder.

Second, I believe it is something like 70% of Americans support such a move. Think the POTUS will do it though? I am guessing no because he is concerned about sending the wrong message.

Now, what exactly would that wrong message be? That we can't trust you bastards to come across legally so we are bringing in the big guns? I am confused... Easily done by the way.

Here is what I think we should do and I have said this for the past 10 years. It's really quite simple to me and I am stealing a page out of the USAF Security Forces Protection Level One page book.

When I was stationed in Vegas and assigned to the Weapons Storage Area we had two fences around the place, with a 30 foot clear zone between them. In that clear zone were microwave sensors that detected movement. The inner fence also had sensors on it and it was electrified. Now, anytime an alarm went off we had a certain response time to that sector to investigate. There were obviously cameras as well, but we still sent actual bodies out to "run the sector"

That being said, this is what we need to do: Install two 30ft fences 30-50 feet apart. Run about 30K volts through both and have sensors on them as well to detect cutting or movement. Between the fences have the same microwave system. As well as cameras every 10 feet. For an added touch, let's but 3 strands of razor tape right down the middle, just in case they get through the first fence before a patrol can get there. On both sides of the fence there need to be signs every 15 feet that warn "Deadly Force is Authorized". Of course it would have to be in Spanish as well. Oh, and light it up like a shit house in a fog storm. Yes, the whole friggin border.

You could than have alarm monitoring stations every 50 miles or so. Those monitoring stations would have the manning to have a patrol every 5 miles. Roughly giving you a pretty damn quick response time. The whole thing would be manned by the US Border Patrol

The border is roughly 2,000 miles, which would mean 40 command posts (where alarm monitors would be). Each command post would need at least 25 people per shift. That is 10 two person response teams, 2 alarm monitors, 2 desk personnel, and a shift leader. 3 shifts per day is 75 personnel at least for one command post. All-in-all, you would need a minimum of 3,750 personnel. That is not factoring in maintenance personnel or people to cover for vacations. So, in reality it would probably take 4,500 - 5,000 personnel per command post.

I realize that it would cost billions and not solve all the issues, but it sure would take care of the majority of them. Not to mention, it would create jobs. :)

Will that ever happen? Hell no, but ya gotta admit it is a hell of an idea.

Fw: OOIDA National CALL-TO-ACTION Alert

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From: "OOIDA Call to Action" <Angel_Burnell@ooida.com>

Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:50:08 -0400

To: <ty.everson@sprint.blackberry.net>

Subject: OOIDA National CALL-TO-ACTION Alert

LAST DAY!  PLEASE CALL ASAP!

 

Today is the tentative deadline for lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to commit to sign Congressman Peter DeFazio’s NAFTA trucking letter.   Please call YOUR lawmaker and ask him/her to sign the letter.  

 

Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR) is asking his fellow lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to sign their names to a letter that calls for the Obama Administration to renegotiate NAFTA trucking provisions with Mexico.

 

In part, the letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk says:

 

“We believe the U.S. should renegotiate U.S. NAFTA Annex I (I-U-21) . . . This would remedy all the truck safety, homeland security, and unemployment issues associated with this long standing trade dispute.”

 

The letter also goes on to say:

 

“Removing the cross border trucking provision from NAFTA will also prevent more job losses at a time when we can least afford them.  Should the border be fully opened to Mexican trucks, the low wages of Mexican drivers will drive U.S trucking companies out of business . . . Opening our border to Mexican trucks is a lose-lose for U.S. workers and the traveling public.”

 

PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE U.S. HOUSE AS SOON AS YOU CAN - tell them to sign their name to Congressman DeFazio’s letter regarding the renegotiation of NAFTA trucking provisions.

 

To contact your Representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, tell the operator that you want to speak with your Congressman and provide the operator with your home zip code.

 

You are also welcome to call OOIDA at (800) 444-5791. Association staff will be happy to help put you in touch with your elected officials.

 

PLEASE CALL!

If you would rather not receive future communications from Owner Operator Independent Driver Assoc., let us know by clicking here.
Owner Operator Independent Driver Assoc., 1 NW OOIDA Dr PO Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029 United States

Fw: OOIDA National Call to Action Alert

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From: "OOIDA Call to Action" <Angel_Burnell@ooida.com>

Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:12:56 -0400

To: <ty.everson@sprint.blackberry.net>

Subject: OOIDA National Call to Action Alert

Congressman Peter DeFazio needs your help. 

 

The Congressman needs you to call your Representative in the U.S. House TODAY!

 

Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR) is asking his fellow lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to sign their names to a letter that calls for the Obama Administration to renegotiate NAFTA trucking provisions with Mexico.

 

In part, the letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk says:

 

“We believe the U.S. should renegotiate U.S. NAFTA Annex I (I-U-21) . . . This would remedy all the truck safety, homeland security, and unemployment issues associated with this long standing trade dispute.”

 

The letter also goes on to say:

 

“Removing the cross border trucking provision from NAFTA will also prevent more job losses at a time when we can least afford them.  Should the border be fully opened to Mexican trucks, the low wages of Mexican drivers will drive U.S trucking companies out of business . . . Opening our border to Mexican trucks is a lose-lose for U.S. workers and the traveling public.”

 

PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE U.S. HOUSE TODAY - tell them to sign their name to Congressman DeFazio’s letter regarding the renegotiation of NAFTA trucking provisions.

 

To contact your Representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, tell the operator that you want to speak with your Congressman and provide the operator with your home zip code.

You are also welcome to call OOIDA at (800) 444-5791. Association staff will be happy to help put you in touch with your elected officials.

 

PLEASE CALL TODAY!

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from Owner Operator Independent Driver Assoc., let us know by clicking here.
Owner Operator Independent Driver Assoc., 1 NW OOIDA Dr PO Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029 United States

Thank You

As most of you know, my life is pretty much an open book. I have nothing to hide and if you want to judge me by what I write, that's your prerogative. I assure you though, as you start reading you will wonder where/what the title means. However, I am trying out my authoring skills and keeping ya in suspense till the end.

DISCLAIMER: Angie, you won't like this and I am pretty sure my phone will ring as you finish reading this.

Now that that is outta the way let's get to what sparked this particular entry.

I got a note, letter, or whatever the hell it was on the door tonight.. It is apparently a court summons from a private investigator. Yeah, that's what everyone wants to hear after a long day working right?

Well, I can guarantee that this is from some credit card company I owe money to. You would be surprised at how many times my phone rings a day from unknown or private numbers.

What pisses me off is even when I do talk to them, they just want money right now and could care less about anything else. I try to explain to them my situation and usually get cut off as I am sure they have heard the stories a million times in a day. I am out here working my ass off, and for anyone that sees a trucker and says, "awe that's just a dumb trucker" obviously has NO CLUE what we do. Granted there are many out here that are idiots, but there is in every profession. Bottom line is it isn't as easy as just sitting behind the wheel and driving. Especially as an Owner Operator.

That got me thinking about my life and how I made so many stupid choices and decision. For example, we have the two marriages where I thought everything was fine and one says she isn't happy after 9 years and the other sleeps with some dude she apparently hated while I was dodging mortars and IEDs in Iraq. Both of those I was to nice and completely lost my ass. Pretty much paid for everything and got not a damn thing in return.

Than there is my career. I had everything going for me.. Fast burner, stepped to MSgt at my 14 1/2 year mark, awarded the Bronze Star from the Army (how many AF guys can say that), and pretty much had it made. Money was awesome, all bills were getting paid, I had my dream truck I always wanted, a brand new motorcycle, and all was good.

Well, if you have read my blogs before you know how I fucked that one up..

So, where am I going with this you ask? Here is where Angie gets pissed and I am so gonna get my ass chewed.. I sometimes wish that Adam would not have found me and I would have just died in that field.

Ya wanna know the ironic part of the motorcycle accident? The fucktard that I was riding with and later found me is the same jackass that testified against me in my separation hearing. That ladies and gentleman is what we call a buddy fucker.. I won't even go into talking about the other piece of shit that felt it was his duty to seek out the prosecuting attorney and volunteer a statement... That reminds me, I should send the 8 volume almost foot thick stack of transcripts from the trial to a screen writer. Pretty sure it would make one helluva a Lifetime Network movie since I used my rank and authority to "prey" on women. YES, that was told to me straight to my face by my commander, who also testified against me... Anyway, I digress

I apologize for the language, but it really pisses me off. After everything I have done for the AF, I get tossed aside like a dirty rag. Again, I take full responsibility for what I did. I just don't agree with it, never will, and it will always piss me off.

My mom sent me an email the other day and it was about a guy and his medal or something like that. That isn't the important part though. In the email she asked where my medals were and that they should at least be displayed or something. I think she also said I should be proud of them.

My reply to her was that she would have to ask Angie as I have no idea where they are and really don't care. It was apparent to me that they didn't matter to the separation board, so why should I care. That is not saying that my medals should have wowed them into keeping me in, but damnit, what I did to earn them should have.

I used to wear them proudly, just like I wore my uniform proudly. Hell, Lt Spencer used to give me shit in Iraq because I would iron my deserts. LOL. That's just how anal and proud of it I was.

So basically the cliff notes version of all of that is I was on top of the world and now I feel like I am 5 1/2 foot deep in the ground.

Stick with me people as I am almost near the end.... I need to remind everyone that I don't type these looking for sympathy either. I type them because it helps me chillax and I hope that in some way, it helps all of you that read this to maybe look at life differently or realize that things could be worse.

Would anyone like to take a huge guess at what keeps me going? I mean that's a fair question as I painted a pretty somber picture and many people would have jumped off a bridge by now.

YOU are what keep me going!!! All of my friends. If your reading this on FB, your included in that.. Now, with that there is one extremely important person that is my life, and that is Angie. I can honestly say I have no idea where I would be without her. She is my rock, bestest friend, and soul mate... Angie, if you actually read this far, stop crying. I am almost done and you can call soon.

Finally, I also keep going for two other people, who's names I never bothered to get because I couldn't muster the courage to attend their funeral. For those that aren't on the lead lap and need a lucky dog, I am referring to the two Soldiers who gave their life on 5 Jan 2006 when the convoy I specifically planned to Taji was attacked by IEDs. I watched one get vaporized into pink mist. Both of those guys had spent 365+ days in Iraq and were 5 days from going home. It was there day off and they were not supposed to be there, but I convinced their convoy commander that we HAD to go that day. They never got the chance to come home. They never got the chance to see their families again. They never got the chance to deal with what I am dealing with..... When I put it in that perspective, I really don't have it bad at all.

With that I will sign off. THANK YOU!!!

Fw: OOIDA Call to Action Alert - National

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From: "OOIDA Call to Action Alert" <Angel_Burnell@ooida.com>

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:03:33 -0500

To: <ty.everson@sprint.blackberry.net>

Subject: OOIDA Call to Action Alert - National

Congressman Peter DeFazio needs your help. 

 

The Congressman needs you to call your Representative in the U.S. House TODAY!

 

Congressman DeFazio is asking his fellow lawmakers in the House to sign their names to a letter that calls upon the Obama Administration to renegotiate NAFTA trucking provisions with Mexico.

 

In part, the letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood and Trade Representative Kirk says:

 

“We believe the U.S. should renegotiate Article 1202 of NAFTA, National Treatment of Cross-Border Trade in Services, to eliminate the requirement to open our borders to Mexican trucks.  This would remedy all the truck safety, homeland security, and unemployment issues associated with this long standing trade dispute.  A successful renegotiation would also eliminate retaliatory tariffs, which are negatively impacting our export markets.”

 

The letter also goes on to say:

 

“Removing the cross border trucking provision from NAFTA will also prevent more job losses at a time when we can least afford them.  Should the border be fully opened to Mexican trucks, the low wages of Mexican drivers will drive U.S trucking companies out of business. This continues a disturbing trend of American job losses through outsourcing. The difference is that we are allowing foreign workers making foreign wages to enter our nation and unfairly compete for American jobs.  Opening our border to Mexican trucks is a lose-lose for U.S. workers and the traveling public.”

 

PLEASE CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN TODAY

 

Tell your Representative that you insist that he or she sign their name to Congressman DeFazio’s letter regarding the renegotiation of NAFTA trucking provisions.

 

 

To contact your Representative in the House, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, tell the operator that you want to speak with your Congressman and provide the operator with your home zip code. The operator will connect you directly to their office.

 

You are also welcome to call OOIDA at (800) 444-5791. Association staff will be happy to help put you in touch with your elected officials.

 

 

PLEASE CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN TODAY!

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from Owner Operator Independent Driver Assoc., let us know by clicking here.
Owner Operator Independent Driver Assoc., 1 NW OOIDA Dr PO Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029 United States

OOIDA Information Update - Mexican trucks

All,

Please read the following email I received today and get involved.. This IS NOT GOOD for America on so many levels.

-------------------------

"It's profoundly disappointing the U.S. hasn't met its commitment to open our borders to Mexican trucks" - Thomas Donohue, the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (and former President of the American Trucking Associations) 

--------------------------

Dear OOIDA Member,

The big boys are coming after you and after your livelihood.

Yesterday the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched a new campaign to push the White House and Congress to open U.S. roads to Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and truck drivers.

Though the Chamber has been pushing for Mexican trucks for many years, this campaign comes at a time when the organization is setting records for its spending on lobbying.

Public records show that the US Chamber had over $123 million in lobbying expenses last year alone.

Don't be confused by its name, the US Chamber of Commerce carries the water for multi-national corporations and does not represent the interests of local and state chamber of commerce organizations.

They have incredibly deep pockets and no qualms about using their money to push the government to take actions that will economically benefit their largest members even if those actions trample on hard working Americans and jeopardize the safety and security of our country.

CALL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY!

As you read this, the Chamber and its allies are calling on Congressmen and twisting the arms of government officials.

They see the fallout from the tariffs that Mexico has imposed on US exports as the best opportunity they have had in years to force open our border and our roads to truckers from Mexico.

They well know that companies and drivers from Mexico will be cheap and exploitable.

Please do not stand by and let these thugs in suits ruin your industry and your livelihood.

Please call both of your Senators and your Congressman today and demand that they oppose efforts to open US roads to truckers from Mexico!

Please tell your fellow truckers, family members and friends to call and keep calling until the Chamber and its allies are silenced.

While you have to contend with the burdens of constantly increasing safety, security or environmental regulations, Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and truck drivers simply do not have to deal with those regulations or the costs associated with them. Opening U.S. highways to Mexican truckers at this time is not only unfair to you, it would threaten the safety of our highways and the security of our nation.

To contact your 2 Senators and your Representative in the House, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at

(202) 224-3121, provide the operator with your home zip code. The operator will connect you with the offices of your elected representatives.

You are also welcome to call OOIDA at

(800) 444-5791. Association staff will be happy to help put you in touch with your elected officials.

Thank you for your time and your efforts to fight this fight.

Your livelihood, your family and your country are worth it.

 

Respectfully,

Todd Spencer