28-Jan-2009

Agenda 21 Videos


These links transport you to videos dealing with the plans and consequences we are, and will continue to experience.


VIdeo 1: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5udza_agenda-21_news A frightening proposition we all need to be aware of!




Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m89SB59DT34 (New world order Must see)!
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Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LEljS3ib84 Illuminati symbilism is everywhere!

27-Jan-2009

STORM WARN CLASS TO BE HELD IN OUACHITA PARISH

Hopefully you can read the following flyer that depicts the ‘what, where, and then when of a class that trains ordinary people to help their community as well as the National Weather Service in the event that severe weather impacts our area.

We look forward to seeing you there.





9-Jan-2009

National Library Service Improves Quality of Life for Blind and Handicapped

By Daniel Taverne

The National Library Service (NLS) has a service for the blind and physically handicapped (SBPH) that strives to make reading materials available to patrons, free of charge, who are unable to “read” normal books and magazines.

Due to my poor vision, I utilize my State’s SBPH on a regular basis and value talking books as a wonderful leisure resource. That said, enrolling in the service has enriched my life and your state’s SBPH can do the same for you or your handicapped loved one.

How to participate:

The application process is very simple. In fact, the most difficult aspect of the process is the requirement of a doctor’s written statement explaining the visual, physical or cognitive limitations preventing the applicant from reading, holding and turning the pages of conventional books/magazines.

The National Library service home page prominently displays the motto, “That All May Read”. Click here to visit that page and find the library serving your state. Then, contact your cooperating library for an application.

After my own application process was completed, I was mailed a talking book cassette player and several Talking Book Topic catalogs from which to order audio books. The completed order forms, located in the catalogs, can be mailed free of charge by writing the words, “Free matter for the blind and physically handicapped” in the envelope’s corner where the stamp would normally be placed.

Additionally, located in the rear of each Talking Book Topic catalog is an extensive phone number listing of cooperating libraries. Finding the appropriate number to call will allow you to quickly speak with a SBPH counselor who will be glad to answer any questions you might have, as well as assist you in choosing book topics.

Another way I order my talking books is through my State Library SBPH web site. Here, audio books can be searched by title, author or subject.

After they are ordered, audio books come in small green containers. When you are done with a book, all you have to do is turn the address card over and put it back in your mailbox.

When I was first introduced to talking books, I wasn’t sure what to think. I wondered if I would like them, and I wondered what other people would think of me as I listened to the books in public. I was Afraid of being ridiculed so I kept the player in my backpack out of sight. After a while though, as I warmed up to talking books I stopped worrying that I’d be laughed at. It turned out that when others see my player, they are curious about what I’m listening to, and I’m not ridiculed at all.

To sum this all up, my state Library SBPH has improved my quality of life by providing me with a wonderful leisure activity that I truly enjoy. I have found that listening to voices in audio books is just as exciting and wonderful as when I could read the books my self. This is, indeed, a service that I appreciate and highly recommend to low vision/blind and physically handicapped people of all ages.

8-Jan-2009

Vets May See Increased Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenses


Since I am a disabled Veteran, this issue is near and dear to my heart. You see, I have a terrible medical condition you can read about in this blog, and although it hasn't been deamed 'service connected', thanks to my vision and income, I currently qualify for free care.

If the VA wants to save money, I have a few suggestions.

1. Stop wasting printer ink, and paper! Everytime I check in to see the doctor, they print out and hand me a list of the medications I am taking. This list is printed from the same computer server the Doctor has access to in his/her office, so the printing what amounts to several pages is totally unnecessary.


Additionally, everytime medications are dispensed to me at the hospital pharmacy or through the U.S. Postal Service, I'm printed a separate order information sheet for each medicine. These pages are also unnecessary as well since all the information needed to refill my prescriptions is located right there on the medicine bottle.


2. The VA Health System could also save money by turning off some hospital lights at night. There is no reason I can think of for burning every light in every hall at night when meny patients are trying to sleep. Half of the lights in the hospital hallways could be turned off.


I am only one patient, and I go to only one VA hospital. If these changes were implemented for all veterans at all VA hospitals, the savings would, indeed, add up.

3. Hospitals could give in-patients a checklist of undesired foods to cut down on food waste, which could save money in the hospital food service.


Below is an exerpt from the article that prompted me to write the above with a link to the full story. Please post a comment if you feel so moved. Maybe you can also make suggestions regarding how the VA might save money.
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A new report from the Congressional Budget Office shows why some military retirees and veterans could face higher out-of-pocket costs if the Obama administration and Congress take bold moves to reform the U.S. health system and to make federal health programs more efficient. Among 115 "options" presented, though not endorsed, in the CBO report, several focus on raising TRICARE out-of-pocket costs for retirees and one for families. Others would tighten access to VA hospitals and clinics, or raise VA health fees, for veterans with no service-connected conditions. To learn more, read the full article on Military.com.

28-Dec-2008

VA News Headlines


VA News Releases:

Nearly 11,000 Survivors to Receive Retroactive Payments by New Years - The Department of Veterans Affairs has identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the New Year to correct an error in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who had been previously paid. VA officials are still tracking down eligible survivors. (12/24/08)

New Members Appointed to Committee on Women Veterans - Four new members have been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs affecting women veterans. (12/23/08)

VA to Provide Payments to Eligible Surviving Spouses - The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced immediate actions to quickly identify and pay surviving spouses who are eligible to receive a one-time compensation or pension payment for the month of the veteran’s death. (12/18/08)

VA Awards $75.8 Million for Hospital Modernization - The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a $75.8 million contract to P.J. Dick Inc. for the construction of a major five-story building that will provide outpatient services and 78 secure, private psychiatric beds for the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System. (12/18/08)


VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits - Every month, 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or educational assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits. (12/15/08)

Wreaths Decorate Veterans’ Graves Nationwide - When tractor-trailers arrived at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Saturday laden with 10,000 holiday green wreaths with red bows to decorate veterans’ graves, they were greeted by some of the 3,000 people who volunteered to place the wreaths. (12/14/08)

VA Announces Enhanced and Expanded Care for N.C. Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a strategic realignment plan today that will enhance and expand access to health care for North Carolina veterans. Through the creation of new facilities in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, plus improvements to the medical center in Salisbury, veterans will have more options for VA health care

6-Dec-2008

2nd Annual Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade (Pictures Below)

Photography and Story By Daniel Taverne


The 2nd Annual Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade was a success. People from near and far lined the parade route to witness, gasp and laugh at the many “interesting” redneck float-like creations that passed bye.


The parade, an event organized to provide Christmas toys to disadvantaged Bawcomville children, left Riser Middle School’s parking lot shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday, and took almost an hour to complete.

The unusual theme of the parade seems to garner broad support from around the state, and spurs rednecks from all walks of life to participate.

Below are a few pictures taken prior to, and during the parade.


































































































































































5-Dec-2008

KE5UTN Ham Shack, Antennas, and Radio Pictures

Let me say that I'd have none of the setup I have if not for a few fellow hams: thanks KA5JNL, KB5YEG, KB5TLB, N5EXS, KB5WDC. If I left anyone out I apologize, it's unintentional.


Above: There are 3 antennas up there: 2 meter, 70cm and 20 meter inv. v. apex.
Above: My Butternut 80/40 vertical dualbander. This antenna does a great job for me

Above: Terrible photo of my radio setup. The HF is a Kenwood TS-50S , I've also got a 2 meter and 70cm that you can see in the photo (if you look really, really hard)

Above: Closer-up of 2meter, 70cm and 20 meter inv. v. with apex at about 20ft.

Above: From left to rigne: 10 meter Antenna, 2 meter Vertical, 70 cm g.p. 20 meter inv. v, and an 80/40 Dual band Vert. (Butternut)


My 8'X8' ham shack. Again, if you look closly you can see a IMAX 2000 10meter antenna, a Diamond 2 Meter antenna, A 20 Meter Inverted V, and a home brew 70cm groundplane.











4-Dec-2008

2nd Annual Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade

It’s with great anticipation that Bawcomville residents await the start of the 2nd Annual Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade.

With Last year’s parade being an overwhelming success with more than 150 parade entrants, this year’s parade promises to be even bigger and better.

This is an event that gives entrants and watchers alike a chance to have fun by poking fun and laughing at Bawcomville/redneck stereotypes while simultaneously providing Christmas toys to the disadvantaged children of Bawcomville.

The 2nd Annual Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade will be held on Dec. 6 at 10 a.m., and will include four-wheelers, riding lawn mowers, floats, cars, trucks, tractors, walkers, horses, goats and much, much more. Entry fee to be a part of the parade is $10 or a new toy to benefit the children of Bawcomville.The parade will line up at Riser Elementary School at 8 a.m. and roll at 10a.m. Contact S&J Farm and Feed for your spot in the parade. For more line-up information, call (318) 388-5858.

For pictures of last year’s parade, look in Dec. 07 archive on the left, and scroll down.

11-Sep-2008

Why Will Gas Prices Jump a $1.00 Overnight?

The effects of agenda-21 will surprise many Americans when they buy gas tomorrow, and most will have absolutely no idea that it may be due to the Agenda-21 plan set in motion.

The dollar increase in a gallon of gas that will take effect at midnight tonight comes as much of America’s attention is on Hurricane Ike and its potential destruction

Gustav and Ike are most convenient to the powers that be because now there is ample “justifiable” reason for petroleum prices to make a massive jump in the blink of an eye.

But, “ OPEC is cutting production” you may say…. I say, “OPEC is in on it!”

Sometimes I think us Americans are like cattle waiting to be butchered at the slaughter house. That is, we don’t know what evil is taking place behind the building’s walls. Like cattle, we, or at least our way of life may be about to end, and not knowing what’s going on behind the sceens, we passively stand around letting it happen to us.

If you have never heard of Agenda-21 or don’t know what it is, type it in your favorite search engine then click ‘search’ to find out.

You know what? I may be full of it. Don’t blindly believe me, yet don’t dismiss me either. Simply do some of your own research and draw your own conclusions.


May God bless America’s citizens!

8-Sep-2008

US Senator, "Buy Gas Tonight"

I’m not going to bother spell checking this because I am really tired.

I’ve been listening to a shortwave radio station on 5.075 mhz which has been warning listeners of conspiracies the likes of which are too fantastic to take seriously. But I wonder.

I’ve been predicting for some time that something bad is going to happen prior to the presidential election; something that can be construed as catastrophic which will allow some presidential directives that are in place, to take effect.

I know this sounds crazy and unbelievable, but what if our rights as US citizens were taken away. What if our bill of rights no longer protect us…

I don’t know what the event will be… probably a war… maybe a nuke or an H-bonb detonation will occur somewhere, like IRAN or Pakistan… plunging us into WWIII.

Interestingly, I was encouraged (this evening) by a US official (A senator) to fill up my car with fuel tonight. Why? He wouldn’t say, but insisted I’d find out tomorrow.

Are there really conspiracies? Maybe, maybe not. Are there disturbing facts that point toward conspiracies? I say yes. Take a little time and look up the UN”s agenda 21. If you read carefully enough, you’ll see a plan (well under way) that will do away with Americas upper and middle classes. It is the desire of the powers that be to control everything and everyone. They don’t like the powers our citizens have enjoyed in the past and have gone a long way toward eroding them already.


How have they done this?

The powers that be have dismantled our economy in the name of free trade. They’ve vilified those of us who believe in and make moral stands based upon our religious beliefs.
For decades now, filthy song lyrics, as well as immoral television and movies have continuously assaulted traditional family values, and have taught most of us to believe there’s no such thing as right or wrong, as long as the behavior doesn’t break man’s law.

With filthy lyrics in music, obsene and immoral television and movies, most of us have become indifferent to, and tolerant of deviant behavior.

Today, modern media is constantly, and shamelessly used to undermine what we as parents try to teach our kids. Many of the cartoons of today are depictions of children pitted against parents, portraying parents as stupid killjoys, making it perfectly okay to disrespect those parents and other authority figures on a regular basis. They’ve changed public school curriculums so that economics rather than religion was the major reason settlers moved to the new world. They’ve removed God, and christian moral values from our classrooms, and replacing those with new "progressive" ideals that undermine God's authority.

Spanking has just about become a thing of the past, so kids aren't learning to respect authority at an early age. This lack of instilled discipline has led to increased antisocial behaviors over the years.

So, what parent has time to pay attention to politics today? Think about it. In this rotton-sold-out-economy, both parents (in most cases) work leaving their kids home alone for at least a short period of time. Then when the parents get home, they're so busy fighting with their children they cant possibly pay attention to what is happening in Washington. Of course there are exceptions to myanalysis, but I feel uncomfortably sure that (in the majority of American households) what I'm saying is true. I also think the powers that be like it, and planned for it to be this way.

29-Aug-2008

Louisiana's ARES Operators Gear UP for Gustav


By Daniel Taverne


The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) of Northeast Louisiana is gearing up for Gustav’s impact on Ouachita and surrounding parishes. Volunteer communicators across the Deep South are receiving regular updates of Gustav’s progress as well as its forecast tracks.

It’s imperative that we realize the forecast tracks are just that, forecasts and that all residents along the Gulf coast heed the warnings of their respective civil authorities.

In addition to the progress of Gustav, ARES operators are receiving updates concerning emergency shelter locations as well as coordinating information passed down from the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

There will be an impromptu meeting of local Amateur radio operators interested in emergency communications Sunday afternoon 8/31 which will cover message formatting and handling standards.

If you happen to stumble across this post and are interested in attending the communications briefings, contact Mack KA5JNL, Carlos KB5YEG or myself for time and place.

Working together we will weather the storm.

20-Aug-2008

VA News Headlines


** VA Opening Rural Health Resource Centers - WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will open three Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers on Oct. 1 to better understand rural health issues for veterans and develop special practices and products to implement across the country. (8/18/08)

**VA Delivering Care “Outside the Box” - WASHINGTON – Using the latest high tech devices as well as the energy of wind and waves, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is helping veterans make health care and health maintenance parts of their everyday routine -- a story which is a highlight of the August edition of “The American Veteran,” the Department’s monthly half-hour news magazine. (8/15/08)

**VA Initiates New Business Improvement Program - WASHINGTON – To upgrade its financial and asset management systems, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced two requests for proposals for the Financial and Logistics Integrated Technology Enterprise Program. (8/1/08)

19-Aug-2008

Army's New SCAR Video and Other News


(From Military.com)


SCAR: The Army's new special operations rifle (Video) Check out these SOF troops as they put the Army's new special operations rifle through its paces....More

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MILITARY NEWS:

**Guard Rescues Nation's Largest Pine Tree:

California National Guard's "Task Force Pick" came to the rescue when the wildfires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest threatened the nation's tallest Ponderosa Pine tree....More

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**Operators Test New Commando Rifle
It's a rifle designed specifically for the special operations community. Modular barrels, ambidextrous controls, a gas-piston operating system, a host of adjustment options -- but you already know that....More


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**New Tool May Help with Route Clearance:
A new tool may soon help route clearance teams detect and neutralize potentially deadly improvised explosive devices in Iraq....More

15-Aug-2008

Addressing School Discipline

Since schools and students throughout the nation are ramping up for another glorious year, I thought it pertinent to discuss discipline problems that have increased over the past couple of decades.

I came across the following article a few years ago and thought I’d reprint it again. It seems to me the logic behind the writers assertions are valid, and in my opinion, these same issues exist here in the USA. We all should honestly consider these assertions and make appropriately beneficial actions.
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THE ARTICLE:

Uncontrolled Children Become Uncontrollable Citizens

(Note: The author of this article is in Australia, but doesn't this sound familiar)

By Philip Atkinson

How the Australian community's failure to discipline its children has resulted in uncontrollable citizens—monsters. Teachers Lose ControlIgnoring the wisdom of the ages, the minister for education in Queensland issued a directive in 1992 that corporal punishment was to be phased out of all state schools within three years, with every subsequent incident in a government school of a pupil being struck by a teacher to be reported to the state's Criminal Justice Commission (see also U.K. example). How state schools were to control their charges was left to the schools imagination, with the unavoidable result of a growing number of uncontrollable and violent pupils, enough to consider the creation of special schools.

The Impotence Of Teachers The impotence of teachers was emphasised by the Queensland Teachers Union banning 8 students from being allowed into class, these pupils were beyond the ability of their members to control. In the Brisbane Courier-Mail of 5th November 1994 Queensland Teachers union president Ian Mackie declared this decision and called for urgent investigation into deteriorating behaviour in schools because of what the Union saw as an unprecedented rise in poor behaviour among students.

Teachers Repeat Role Of Indulgent ParentsIn 1994 The Australian newspaper reported the case of a teacher charged with assault after striking a tiresome child with a wooden rule. A blow only struck after the student had ignored many previous reprimands. Though the case was dismissed the warning was there to all charged with control of minors (see also 1999). Such professional minders are forced to repeat the same behaviour of the indulgent parents. They no longer command and demand, but entertain and appease. If they can't keep the class amused they are regarded as failures, which clearly reveals that it is the pupils not the teachers who are in charge of the classroom.

Schools Reinforce Parents Message The teacher is obviously at the mercy of the whims of their pupils, so replacing indulgent parents with impotent teachers merely reinforces the lesson of selfishness , while confirming authority is to be despised. This must be the most significant message communicated by the education system, all else is trivial. Whether it is mathematics or morality, no pupil will give more than scant regard to assertions made by people they do not respect. Schools no longer teach duty and obedience but the opposite.

Why we have Inept ManagersContemporary child rearing with its lack of discipline does not just promote irresponsibility but contempt for authority. How could authority maintain respect when fooling parental authority is the first lesson of life? And when this lesson of infancy is reinforced by the education system it is not just selfishness that is taught, but the impotence and hypocrisy of authority. Children have repeatedly been shown that rules and regulations are just a pretence, and with the right behaviour all restrictions can be ignored with impunity. So control of such citizens is in name only. Executives and politicians must repeat the example of parents and teachers; they cannot command and demand but must please and appease; anything else will result in them losing their jobs.

Disorder the Inevitable ResultThe inevitable result of selfish citizens licensed by an impotent authority is public disorder.

12-Aug-2008

Leesville Hamfest (Pictures of Northeast Louisiana Hams)

By Daniel Taverne

The Leesville, Louisiana hamfest, as expected, turned out to be a great time. Those of us who attended from the Northeast Louisiana area arrived Saturday morning hoping to win one of the over 250 prizes that would be raffled off. I happened to win one of the door prizes, a very nice digital multi-meter.

Throughout the large meeting hall there was no shortage of items to look at, discuss and even buy, if desired. People milled about looking at items covering the display tables, and they stood around laughing and talking with friends, while listening to the prize drawings. I particularly enjoyed looking at some of the old tube radios I saw as well as a huge capacitor that looked like it weighed at least 30 pounds!

Many HAM operators who’ve only known each other by communicating across the airwaves took this opportunity to finally meet some of the faces behind some of the call signs

Take myself for example: About a month ago I was in West Monroe monitoring 146.850 and over heard a guy and his wife Marvin and Ginger. After contacting them on the 2 meter frequency, I soon discovered they were all the way down in DeRidder, Louisiana. It turned out that at this hamfest I finally met Marvin and Ginger who happened to sit directly across from me in the small dining area.

It was my impression that the West Central Louisiana Ham Club is a vibrant and active organization, the members of which deserve a nice pat on the back for a job well done.

The Twin Cities Ham Club encourages anyone located in Northeast Louisiana who wants to become a Ham to visit http://www.tchams.org/ then e-mail any of the contacts listed.

The pictures below are a few of the Northeast Louisiana Hams who attended the Fest. Some of these hams include, KA5JNL, KB5TLB, KB5YEG, WD5TL, KE5UTN, N5DSG, N5WLG,W5KGT,, AD5AQ and more. If you read this and see I left out your call, leave it in a post comment and I’ll add it.




























































































































































30-Jul-2008

VA News Releases

** VA Rolling Out Suicide Hotline Ads in DC - WASHINGTON – Veterans and other residents of metropolitan Washington, D.C., have begun seeing outreach information on buses and inside subway cars about the suicide prevention hotline of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (7/25/08)
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** VA Names New South Carolina National Cemetery - WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs has named the national cemetery to be built near Columbia, S.C., as the “Fort Jackson National Cemetery.” VA also awarded a $2.53 million construction contract for the initial phase of development to International Public Works, LLC, of North Charleston. (7/25/08)
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** VA, Monster Partner for Veteran Job Seekers - WASHINGTON – In a new plan to help veterans find jobs, the Department of Veterans Affairs has partnered with Monster Government Solutions, a division of Monster Worldwide, Inc., a company that markets online employment services to employers and job seekers. (7/22/08)
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** VA Reburies War of 1812 General at Congressional Cemetery - WASHINGTON – Descendants of a War of 1812 general officer who died in 1841 witnessed his re-interment during a ceremony July 17 at a historic gravesite administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (7/18/08)
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** VA Helps Vets Reengage with Life - WASHINGTON – From the laboratory to open air, making medical and mental miracles are the focus of the July edition of “The American Veteran,” the monthly half-hour news magazine from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (7/18/08)
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** VA’s National PTSD Center Deputy Honored - WASHINGTON -- Dr. Paula Schnurr, deputy executive director for VA’s National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), received the 3rd annual Ladies Home Journal “Health Breakthrough Award” for her work with PTSD and women veterans. (7/18/08)
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**Heroism and Athletics Converge in Omaha for Veterans Wheelchair Games - WASHINGTON – The 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, scheduled to take place July 25–29 in Omaha, Neb., will attract more than 500 veterans with disabilities. It has become the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world. Veterans from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will again join their fellow veterans in 17 competitive events. (7/17/08)
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**VA Announces On-Line Claims Applications - WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that on-line applications are now accepted from veterans, survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper copy of the application. (7/16/08)

29-Jul-2008

A Hunting Video Must-see: Unbelievable Lions Filmed

Watch Video safari=l

Food For Thought: 2 Funny Food Videos

1. Domino's Scientists Test Limits Of What Humans Will Eat. See report: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/dominos_scientists_test_limits_of


2. Weak Sauce:

Restaurant commercial highlighting a fancy sauce you probably won't be seeing soon at your local restaurant. To Laugh, Watch Video =4

Military Video: Female Marine Gets Pepper Sprayed


This tough female Marine undergoes OC Spray training. Get some! Watch Video: http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=140255&page=1

Video: Fallujah House to House Urban Combat


This story of heroism takes place in Fallujah, Iraq as Marines go house to house in fierce gun battles. A Marine tells the story of how he became trapped in a house by Chechen insurgents and was rescued by a fellow Marine. Watch video =1

23-Jul-2008

Veteran's News Headlines (From Military.com)

"Veterans Report" is the most comprehensive newsletter available to help Veterans stay current on benefits changes, learn about important legislation, get great discounts, and use the benefits earned in service. Make sure that you and your colleagues subscribe for this free update publication.-------------------------------- 21 JULY 2008-------------------------------------------
Report: Vets Pay More for Health Care
Deal of the Week: 50% off Cirque du Soleil Tickets
State Veteran Benefits
Veterans Save with Offers from ASMBA
Featured Classified: Hot Deals on Motorcycles
Survey Request: We need Your Help
SpouseBUZZ Live Tour is Here
Online Journal for the Defense Industry Launches
Featured Job: United in Support of Our Military
VA Opening New Vet Centers
"Assistance Act" Slowing Vets Claims
New Fisher House Dedicated
Reduction in Backlog Encouraged
Senators: End Voter Reg Prohibition
VA Announces Homeless Grants
Schools Prepare for More Students Under GI Bill
Bill to Compensate Stop-loss Troops
Annual Observance for the Wounded
Rate the Military Health System
Armed Forces Retirement Home
American Legion Encourages Freedom Walks
Disease Now Service-Connected
Hearing on VA Smoking Cessation Study
Education Grants for AF Family
Filing for Economic Stimulus Check
Print and Post This Week's Veterans Report
Headline Military News

21-Jul-2008

'Gator Dan's Eastern Chinese Restaurant Review



‘Gator Dan’s Review of:

EASTERN CHINESE RESTAURANT
3426 Cypress St. Suit 11
West Monroe, La 71291




When eating a meal in any of the Ouachita parish restaurants, check out who is sitting near you. If you see a gator,, don’t worry. That gator is probably just a man, it’s probably Gator Dan.

I am Gator Dan and I review Ouachita Parish eating establishments.

I creep out of the bayou, crawling into restaurants of all shapes and sizes. From restaurants that are cheep and fast to expensive restaurants with chef prepared meals, I give each of them a bite rating (between 0 and 5) in the following areas:

· cleanliness
· decor
· service
· accuracy of order
· food quantity
· food quality
· presentation
· price
· Taste.

0 bites means the rated area is as bad as it gets, while 5 indicates the rated area is top notch.
I then give an over all “restaurant” rating of between 0 and 5 gulps. 0 gulps: your patronage is not recommended. Eat at your own risk. 5 gulps: Highly recommended. Eat here every chance you get

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EASTERN CHINESE RESTAURANT
3426 Cypress St. Suit 11
West Monroe, La 71291


Thursday July 17, I had a hankering for Chinese food so I mounted my Gator bike and peddled my self to the Eastern Chinese Restaurant located in the Sunshine Heights shopping center, 3426 Cypress Street, West Monroe.

As I pulled up, dismounted my bike, and entered the restaurant.
I chuckled at the wide eyes of the clerk’s 2 children who stared in awe of me, a gator, riding a bicycle. Despite my strange appearance, the clerk greeted me promptly and assisted me with my order.

I was very happy with my delicious lunch special, consisting of shrimp, Chinese vegetables and fried rice.

‘Gator Dan’s Eastern Chinese Restaurant ratings:

· Cleanliness: 4 bites
· decor: 5 bites
· service: 5 bites
· accuracy of order: 5 bites
· food quantity: 5 bites
· food quality: 5 bites
· presentation: 5 bites
· price: 5 bites
· taste: 5 bites

Overall, this restaurant did a very good job of silencing my mid day tummy rumble. I would have given cleanliness a 5, however the bathroom’s soap and paper towel dispencers were empty making handwashing by patrons a discomforting waste of time.

With the dining area consisting of just 3 tables, it’s easy to see this restaurant is mainly a Chinese take-out. That said, I decided to eat in and found the small dining area gives the restaurant an inviting, quiet and quaint atmosphere.


Will I eat here again? Without a doubt!

Overall Restaurant Rating: 4.75 gulps.

16-Jul-2008

Military News Headlines

Please visit military.com for all the latest headlines as well as a huge library of military videos for your enjoyment.
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***Chemical Robot Ready for Debut

Coming soon to theaters: A robot destined for the junk pile, gains new life and a new purpose -- going into potentially contaminated areas so Soldiers don't need to risk their lives....More
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***Army Medic Delivers Own Son

Sgt. Jason Boyd missed the births of his first two children while he was serving in Iraq. But when his wife, was pregnant with their third, he was granted a few weeks
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***Awesome Video***: Death from Above
The CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapon is the most powerful cluster bomb ever built....Watch Video

10-Jul-2008

Military News Headlines (From Military.com)

Cool Video: Tank-Sized Shotgun Shell
The 120mm XM 1028 canister round fires approx. 1,150 tungsten pellets. Absolutely devastating against exposed targets....watch video by clicking here.

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Marine Busted for Biting Off GI's Ear

MARINE BUSTED FOR BITING OFF GI’S EAR
A Marine sergeant was busted to lance corporal for biting off part of a Soldier's ear during a brawl in an Okinawa City alley last September....More

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4 Ways to Fund Your Education

The military encourages servicemembers to use all programs available, whether they are from federal, military-related, or private sources. Here are a few places to get you started....More
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New Joint Unmanned Aerial System Plans

Army and Air Force leaders met to discuss developing a new joint unmanned aerial system concept of operations. "As opposed to finding independent solutions, we are trying to find joint, collaborative solutions that best support the joint warfighter in any spectrum of war," said Air Force Gen. John D.W. Corley, head of Air


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Please visit military.com to read other news items as well as for viewing many interesting videos.

8-Jul-2008

Veteran's News Headline Links

Add newsltr@miltnews.com to your address book to ensure delivery of Military.com Newsletters

Go to:www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,5977,00.html

Veterans Report is the most comprehensive newsletter available to help Veterans stay current on benefits changes, learn about important legislation, get great discounts, and use the benefits earned in service. Make sure that you and your colleagues subscribe for this free update publication.-------------------------------- 07 JULY 2008-------------------------------------------
Uncle Sam's on a Hiring Spree
Deal of the Week: 15% Off Shoes and Free Shipping
VA Raises GI Bill Payment Rates
4 Ways to Fund Your Education
Committee Marks Up Health Care Bill
Training Grants for Veterans
DoD Launches Video to Encourage Mental Health
How the GI Bill Impacts You
Featured Job: Commitment is Valued
Committee Approves Second Amendment Legislation
Committees Consider College Loan Bill
Free SAT-ACT Software for Military Families
Judge Issues PTSD Treatment Decision
Active Reserve Marine Reenlistment Bonus
VA Announces 44 New Clinics
Court Rules in Favor of Military Widows
Payments for Disabled Veterans
TurboTAP Offers Transition Assistance
Volunteers Needed for Wheelchair Games
House Passes Epilepsy Bill
AF Death Benefit Designation Changes
New Board to Ensure Consistency in Disability Ratings
Marine Corps Sponsors Conference
Print and Post This Week's Veterans Report
Headline Military News

4-Jun-2008

Video: Black Hawk Convoy - B co. 1-140 Avn

****Video**** Company B 1-140 AVN Black Hawk Convoy from JFTB Los Alamitos to Camp Pendleton. The camera operator tried to make it Oliver Stone style but he said it was actually an awesome sunny day flying over the beaches....More

Link takes you to Military.com's awsome video collection.

Army News: 'Land Warrior System' to be Utilized at Brigade Level

As Land Warrior reaches its first anniversary in combat, the Army is seeking to equip an entire brigade combat team with the high-tech system, which increases mission speed and effect
iveness and decreases risks to the warfighter....More

Link takes you to the entire article as distributed by the Army News Service.

1-Jun-2008

Ham Radio Operator, KE5UTN (visually impaired)

My Little Ham Shack

As you may or may not know, I am visually impaired which makes reading small things nearly impossible. That said, people are always helping me out and I do my best to respect what they do for me. In this case, a local ham loaned me an ICOM 2 meeter radio and I want to do all I can to be the best operator around.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mack KA5JNL for the use of the 2 meter radio, antenna and power supply.

The idea of having this new band capability, however, is a lot easier than the actual operation of the radio… Let me explain:

The radio is much, much more complicated than the 10 meter rigs I’ve operated in the past. Since repeaters are involved, and they are owned by other hams I want to be as respectful utilizing them as possible. Additionally, I need to know if each local repeater is duplex – or duplex +. These are things I didn’t realize 2 days ago.

I printed out a list of nearby repeaters and just this afternoon noticed the -/+ after the freq.
I guess you could say my learning curve is pretty steep, but not quite swift enough for me… ha ha.

I’ve had a few brief conversations with local people and discovered that people on the 2 meter band don’t us Q codes. Now I realize Q codes were mainly designed for CW operators, but I thought it was perfectly okay to call CQ on the 2 meter band. It didn’t take long for a repeater owner to correct me on my mistaken belief. I thanked him for correcting me, but now I don’t know how to call for anyone to talk to me.

If you came to this site because of a QSL card, I wantto thank you for visiting.

73s to you and yours.

Dan KE5UTN
West Monroe, LA

27-May-2008

My Call Sign is KE5UTN

I finally have my Amateur Radio license. KE5UTN is my call sign.

I’ve wanted to be a ham operator since I was really young but never made time for pursuing that goal.

It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be, even for a visually impaired fellow. I went to a local club meeting where I met many wonderful people who were more than willing to help me fulfill my goal. Then after studying hard for a few months, I took the test and only missed one question.


I’ve got a 10 meter rig right now, a Ranger RCI 2980wx, and I’m using a 5/8 vertical ground plane (Solarcon I-MAX 2000)


My set up works very well, but I’d like to get into the 2 meter and 6 meter bands which I need equipment for.

I still have to fix a few issues with my current setup; I need to better secure my mast, pulling a section of it away from my ham shack where it is touching, as well as getting more height for it.

25-Apr-2008

Police Violently Deny Citizens the Right to Peaceful Assembly (VIDEO: 2002, Portland, Oregon)

What country is this? Does our bill of rights really grant us the rights that are spelled out there? Can we count on those rights to protect us? Don’t be so sure!

Listen to the questions I’m asking. If I can ask these questions, then my basic mind set that I am protected by them, has already been changed.

The video links below are part 1 and 2 of a documentary (using police video cameras) of a response to a peaceful assembly to redress the government in Portland, Oregon in August 2002.

Part 2 is even more riveting than part 1 so please watch both.


Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QvGBRdom0k&feature=related

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf4w1e9Nuo8&feature=related

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