Tiny Tim was just one of those guys. He came up with a stage persona and stuck to it. He actually had a fairly deep voice and a New York accent. He passed away in 96.

I wanted to hear some different views on Nationalism and how you folks might frame this particular ideology.

Nationalism.

An ideology that each nation constitutes a natural political community whose members should all live together under the authority of "their own" independent nation state.

The advocacy of the utmost political advancement of one’s nation or people, without regard to the consequences, in promoting hostility and competition, discrimination and vilification.

Nationalist are very patriotic. They want English as the official language in the US. They believe that white, english speaking Americans should be the only ones in the United States. They desire very tight immigration policies regardless of what country those immigrants might be from. The Balkan states found their independence from the former Soviet Union through Nationalism and followed through with ethnic cleansing causing the U.N. and Nato to send troops to quell the violence. Gandhi used forms of Nationalism effectively to work for the Indian people. Our own war for Independance from England is an excellent example of Nationalism at work.

Nationalism often binds people together to fight for a common cause. Usually it is based on more ethnic or neo-ethnic lines. I say neo-ethnic because of how it can manifest itself in ways such as our fight for Independance with two struggling groups cut from the same cloth. The colonies had a shared ethnicity with their "repressive" benefactor yet the Nationalism comes from the fact that, over time, they began to see themselves as separate. They or we wanted our own identity. Identity is at the core Nationalism. Many fear that allowing Mexicans, or Asians to "over run" our country may cause us to loose our National Identity.


I have had this post saved as a draft and Im not sure how to finish it. So I will leave it there and let people tell me what they like or dislike about nationalism. I think it is clear that I don't approve of more extreme or orthodox manifestations of nationalism. Moderation is the key for me.

Anyway...tell me what you think. DISCUSS!!

MY FIRST DRILL

My first drill weekend with the 2nd Battalion of the 211th aviation group thingy went pretty well. It started on Friday evening at 6pm. My recruiter said to show up in the uniform I was given a few weeks earlier. I spent the previous day searching surplus army stores for a beret that fit. I found a beret, got dressed, and drove the 40 minuets to the Armory next to Airport #2.

While I drove out I realized that being in uniform usually means that I would have been to some sort of training or indoctrination. I was a little anxious that I would commit some sort of egregious, new guy, error and and feel completely out of place.

FRIDAY

Within 5 minuets of walking through the door I met my First Sergeant. He is the NCOIC of our battalion. He showed me to the class room that the briefing was held. I was then asked to introduce myself and after the brief I was invited to take the wiz quiz. Fun! Everyone I met smiled and welcomed me. So far it seems to be a friendly place. Of course it is just the guard! The First Sergeant asked me if I had a license for a humvee. I was starting to worry about wearing the uniform. I told him I didnt have one and he said we would have to get one first thing. He told me he was putting me in S-3. S-3 is the operations part of the unit. They keep track of flight hours, communication, and training for the Battalion. I suppose thats as good as anything while I wait for OCS in October. Many people asked me what my MOS (military job) was. I had to explain many times that I came into as a O9S. Which means that I am going to Officer Candidate School and that I am preparing my packet for that. I was careful not to come off as

That night we prepared vehicles for a convoy to take place the next day. I met some great people. My section leader is Sgt Smith. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and is well liked in the command. I followed (SPC) Specialist Barry, SPC Smith, and a few PFC's (Private First Class). We inspected some humvees and some bigger trucks and then went home for the night. I am a Specialist at the moment. So I spend a lot of time saying yes sir, and yes sergeant.

Here is a cool link for understanding the ranks.
http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/rank3.shtml




SATURDAY

Saturday we all showed up at 7am. We loaded big tents in big trucks and drove for about 40 minuets south to a training area on Camp Williams. I had the pleasure of riding in back of a large "deuce and a half" on top of 50 folding chairs. That was about the time I started asking myself "What the heck am I doing here?" "What have I done?" As we arrived I jumped out of the truck and we all set up a tent. There were about 20 soldiers standing around watching as maybe 5 or 6 set up the tent at first. Slowly as people began to catch on to what was happening more and more people began to help. Now the entire time I was on the truck and in the field I was wearing my kevlar. This is the standard soldier helmet. My helmet had seen quite a bit of action Im thinking. The chin strap seemed to be only held together by the sweat of the soldier that owned it before I did. I'm sure he was at Danang in 68. Everyone else had the new helmets with wonderful cushions and nice new chin straps. Oh well. I dont mind being new...i just dont want to look like an idiot. After we got the "camp" set up we tore into some MRE's. I was delighted to find a fantastic version of Chili Mac. It had been about 20 years since I had experienced the MRE cheese packet. It was just as delightful and flavorful as I remembered. After lunch we learned the fine art of staying out of site to avoid busy work. I thought that was fun. We were advised upon arrival that the area was full of ticks. They mentioned to stay out of the brush and be careful about being close to the ground. After that warning they promptly posted "security". These soldiers then walked out about 25 yards and laid down on the ground in the prone position to keep a look out for the "enemy". Two of them came back with ticks.

SUNDAY

It has been 10 years since I have been given a Physical Fitness test. I just happen to start on the month of just such a test. This test consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2 mile run. Since I joined up a month ago I have been going to the gym and had started running again. I was pretty anxious to say the least. Im just thankful that I didnt have any nervous ...um...movements. The push-ups went well and I did the run in 13:38 but the sit-ups were crap. I only did 35 before I couldn't get up again. How sad is that!! So I failed the sit-up portion of the test which means I failed it all. Because it was my first drill ever and they asked me if I wanted to participate I wont be required to take it again until the next test in October. I have to say that I have never seen so many people lose their lunch on a run before. It was amazing. I lucked out and stayed in the front of the pack so to speak. Im thankful the run went well. Now I must say that this is a Guard run. It was actually down hill!! Thats right...down hill. Im so blessed. hehe

After the test we had lunch and then attended LDS testimony meeting in one of the class rooms at the armory. After church I spent a little more time learning how to avoid work by hanging out in the supply office listening to some privates talk about their lunch at Hooters and other such exploits. I must add that we were ordered to "dissapear". As I am a good soldier...I followed those orders.

Thats it really. I hope you enjoyed the story.

This is pure joy

Flying alone


A few weeks ago I flew out to Gulfport MS. to see mom and dad on their mission. Before leaving on the flight I tried in vain to find a flying buddy to go with me. I spent the entire 24 hour flight there and back wishing Julie was there again. She was a good flying buddy.