Some Thoughts Regarding Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger's Water Landing

US Airways Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III

US Airways Flight 1549

Soap Box Ravings has heard many people calling various talk shows who have a tendency to disregard the pilot's actions in landing his aircraft on the Hudson River. Their reasoning is since pilots "train" for emergencies; this wet landing is not such a big deal.

I can only assume these are the same kind of people who assume their personal protection is in the hands of the local on-duty police officer.

That pilot may have read a lot of aircraft technical manuals, he may have flown a lot of hours in a Link, or similar trainer, but to the best of my knowledge, no pilot lands "wheels up" in water with an actual aircraft regardless of the amount of training they are subject to.

That was most assuredly his first wet landing in a wheels up airliner full of passengers.

In Soap Box Ravings' opinion, the only people that have have landed their aircraft wheels up in the water and lived to talk about are referred to as survivors.

For those who think trained people standby for their protection think about this, both business and government have a tendency to reduce personnel training when money is tight such as it is now.

In addition to reduced or eliminated training, remember every training class has some people who are less skilled than others. In other words, an anchor man or woman. The word training can mean at lot less than you may think. Some organizations feel that providing a technical manual is training.

Also, let us not forget that trained skills are perishable; they need to be continually used or they are lost.

Insidious Global Warming, Coming To An Area Of Your Concern

Computer Keyboard

The TimesOnLine, Sunday reported the environmental impact of Google searches. The full story is available at: http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece

Basically, Physicist Alex Wissner-Gross says research indicates two Google searches uses up as much energy as boiling the kettle for a cup of tea. The article estimates about 200m global Internet searches daily.

In their response, Google claims it is in the forefront of green computing.

Googles response to the article may be found at:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/technology/2009/01/googles-respons.html

Soap Box Ravings would like to point out everything has an impact on global warming. However, not everything spews black clouds into the air. Humans have to decide what is important to them, and not all humans will agree.

Perhaps in the future, government will decide everything we are allowed to possess and the type and the size of the family allowed to possess the allowed items.

Cars, TVs, computers, cattle, pets, size of residence, the list goes on of items that effect global warming. Just remember, when they get to your area of concern it may be to late to object. After all, everyone else has already given up their items of concern before you.

600 Year Old Brewery To Be Shutdown

Stag Brewery, London, UK

It's reported that Anheuser-Busch InBev, will be shutting down the historic 600-year-old Stag Brewery in London, UK. The reason, a weak economy and increased beer taxes.

Soap Box Ravings says this historic brewery is being closed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, a recent combination of the European company InBev and the US company Anheuser-Busch which merged in 2008 to become the world's largest beer brewer.

Anheuser-Busch owned the Stag Brewery and to save money, they will close down the 600 years of tradition it this brewery represents.

Restructuring operations is a companies response to low profit and high taxes, a response that those running our government may want to consider.

The reason the Stag Brewery will be shut down is of little comfort to those who have made their careers brewing beer there.

It should also sadly be noted that the Sea World and Busch Gardens parks, owned by Anheuser-Busch, will also discontinue their free beer tasting areas.

When Will We Know We Have Been Raped

Judge to prostitute, 'So when did you realize you were raped?'

Prostitute, wiping away tears: 'When the check bounced.'

Did You Ever Expect Anything Else?

Democrats Closer to Embracing Burris

The complete fairy tale as reported on AOL may be found at: http://news.aol.com/article/democrats-closer-to-embracing-burris/294426

Conservative Rush Limbaugh's comments may be found at: http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/limbaugh_reid_maddox/2009/01/06/168454.html?s=sp&promo_code=7721-1

The basic AOL story is that Roland Burris will soon be sitting in the Senate as the junior Senator representing Illinois. In the above picture, Democratic Senators Harry Reid and Dick Durbin are all smiles as they refuse to allow Roland Burris in the Senate after he was selected by Illinois Governor Blagojevich to fill the term vacated by President-elect Barack Hussein Obama.

Illinois Governor Blagojevich has been charged by the federal government with trying to sell Senator Obama's vacated, and barely used, Senate seat. Following which, the Democrats had loudly trumpeted that anyone appointed by Governor Blagojevich would not be seated in the Democrat controlled Senate.

Soap Box Ravings notes again that a Democrat and his or her principles are easily separated. You really have to wonder just what it takes to embarrass a politician, regardless of their party.

Guns

Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians.

Bailed Out Banks Execs Get 1.6 Billion And Keep Their Corporate Jets

Bailed out bank execs get bonuses at:
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/bailed-out-banks-execs-got-16-billion/283923

Bank execs keep corporate jets at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081221/ap_on_bi_ge/meltdown_corporate_jets


Soap Box Ravings sees two major points that relate to these stories. The first point would be, were did the three major automakers go wrong since they seem to be straddled with all kinds of restrictions tied to any money they expect to receive and secondly the professional jealousy of the Washington politician as the bankers either hoard or use for executive bonuses the money they received for bailout.

Either way, the American taxpayer finds themselves firmly in the BOHICA position.

While Soap Box Ravings feels the bailouts were improper and will cause many more problems over a longer time, he also feels similar rules should have been applied to banks as were applied to the three major auto makers.

The bailout to me is the same as life support for a brain dead individual. It only holds off the funeral. And while that may be good to allow relatives to gather and to prepare for any possible transplant of organs, Soap Box Ravings does not believe there will be any preparation for the future by our politicians when the patient finally expires. The agony will have just lasted for a longer length of time and the financial costs will be much much greater.

By The Time He Signed It, I Bet He Meant It

Iraqi TV reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi

Iraqi PM's office says shoe-thrower apologizes

Story at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081218/ts_nm/us_iraq_bush_shoes
Th on-line article say that TV reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi who became famous for throwing his shoes at President George W. Bush apologized to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for embarrassing him before the watching world. The apology was in a written letter of contrition.

Zaidi's family said he suffered injuries in the take-down after throwing his shoes at President Bush. His whereabouts were not known for four days and he is believed to be held in the Green Zone in Baghdad.

Soap Box Ravings would like to see pictures of Zaidi, before the incident, immediately after the incident and after signing the letter of contrition.

Soap Box Ravings can't help but feel the penalties for embarrassing the Iraqi President exceed those of embarrassing the President of the United States. In fact, he doubts there is a crime of "Embarrassing the President" in our country. If there was, many politicians and movie stars would be sitting in a stockade somewhere.

Soap Box Ravings feels that President Bush should meet with Zaidi and issue him a pardon and perhaps bring Zaidi into the fold, so to speak. If nothing else, it might demonstrate beating prisoners for "Embarrassing the President" is not accepted.

Our Friends Pitch In To Cover Their Own Asses

Typical Off Shore Oil Rig

Headline: OPEC Cuts Production 4% to Prop Up Prices
Full story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/business/worldbusiness/20opec.html

Headline: OPEC cuts record 2.2. million barrels a day
Full story at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_bi_ge/af_opec_meeting/print

Soap Box Ravings says stand by. The politicians who voted to increase drilling off shore now that they have cemented their position wish to relook at drilling off-shore.

As you can see by the two bylines above, the Saudis and other oil producing countries are being affected by the economy. Since they are not selling as much oil they need to reduce production to keep their profit margins up after. They have a standard of living to maintain.

We are not buying as much oil because our economy is bad. As the prices stay high, we will be able to buy less fuel for our vehicles or to heat our homes.

This is why we need to be drilling for our own oil, so we do not have to remain under the thumb of those we now purchase our energy from.

At the same time we need to identify other useful and cheap means of generating the power we need to run our economy. We need to build nuclear reactors, some clean coal burning plants, drill for our own oil and build new oil refineries. We do not need corn derived alcohol nor do we need miles and miles of windmills.

Soap Box Ravings believes there are intelligent ways to increase our energy without destroying our lifestyle.

If I Only Had Better People Working For Me

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox says SEC failed to probe Madoff
Full story at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_bi_ge/madoff_scandal/print

Soap Box Ravings wonders if the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) is capable of examining themselves. While Chairman Cox was not in charge of the SEC ten years ago many other present agency members have been in it's employ during this entire period.

Soap Box Ravings notes that while many think Chairman Cox is an honorable man, he may be in the same position as a naval commanding officer who unknowingly takes over a naval ship with a misguided and motley crew. Three years later when the ship hits a reef while under the skippers command, his career is finished. After three years at the helm, Chairman Cox should have had a better handle on his command.

Soap Box Ravings believes that Chairman Cox should resign so that a new chairman can be appointed to clean out the SEC in a proper fashion. Criminal proceedings may be required regarding those who were derelict in their duties.

The SEC should not be in charge of their own housecleaning.

A Scary Story, The Red State Army

Danielle Allen, holds two doctorates -- one in government and political theory from Harvard University and the other in classics from King's College, University of Cambridge. She is the UPS Foundation Professor of social science at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J.

In her article titled Red-State Army? printed in the Washington Post on Monday, December 15, 2008 Dr. Allen identifies some interesting happenings with our military such as, Why do red states have much higher military membership rates than blue states?

While the population of the United States has grown by about 50 percent since 1970, the number of active-duty armed forces has fallen approximately 50 percent. Now, a smaller percentage of citizens now serve in the military. In 1969 13 percent of Americans were veterans, in 2007 only 8 percent of Americans are.

More importantly, when the draft was in effect military service was distributed pretty evenly across regions. Today, that is no longer true. Residential patterns for current veterans and the patterns of state-level contributions of new recruits to the all-volunteer military have a distinct geographic tilt. And the map of those in military service since 1973 aligns closely with electoral maps distinguishing red from blue states.

Dr. Allen wonders about the effects to our society if the members of our military only come from certain states, red, and not others, blue, over time.

The full story can be found at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/14/AR2008121401815.html

Soap Box Ravings says when the draft was in effect, everyone had a chance to serve, like it or not; good or bad. The problem with an all volunteer military is eventually you end up with a warrior class and move away from the citizen soldier.

We have politicians, like John Kerry, who believe only the uneducated go into the military. He is wrong. With the equipment in use today you have to be fairly well educated as well as motivated to exist in today's military.

As it gets harder to exist it seems many more people are waiting for the government to take care of them. The politicians seem to want more and more people relying on the government. At the same time the politicians expect those who do not rely on the government to pay a greater share to support those on the dole.

Eventually, Soap Box Ravings says the warrior class will have enough and they will no longer obey the politicians. The country may end up divided as in a civil war or the military may overthrow the government and run the country themselves.

The advantage of the draft is it brings citizens into the military who at first glance may have never joined. But citizens moving through the military at all levels keeps the military from becoming a warrior class, it helps them remain as just warriors.

Soap Box Ravings feels we should have major concerns if our military is not drawn proportionally across our entire country.

It Is Coming Down To The Wire On This Part Of The Problem

Murky future for auto rescue amid GOP opposition

The full story is available at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/congress_autos/print

Soap Box Ravings notes that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has come out against the bailout. Republicans are directly challenging their President. The Republicans say support should have specific concessions and they oppose the tougher environmental rules added by the House.

Democrats do not want specifics such as worker pay cuts which would anger the unions who support them in elections.

Soap Box Ravings feels that if the Republicans in office for the last eight years had acted as Republicans the Democrats would not have gained control of the Congress in 2006 and the President-elect today would not be a liberal Democrat.

But since that is the case, Soap Box Ravings feels there will be no compromise on the Democrats part. Soap Box Ravings feels Democrats would rather play politics and have the auto companies and unions fail than compromise. Democrats want what they want and do not compromise and knowing eventually the Republicans will cave in as they historically do. Particularly since the one-sided media will ensure the Republicans are blamed for any failure to pass the bailout bill no matter how poorly or inadequately it is written.

In Soap Box Ravings opinion, these companies along with many other companies need to be in the bankruptcy courts where the courts have and use power to get results that the politicians do not have the balls to go after.. The sooner these companies declare bankruptcy the sooner they get in line to get actually resolve their problems.

Obama Gets 'H' For Hypocrisy

The future Obama family has chosen to send their daughters to an exclusive private school, even though he officially opposes private schools because they do not work.

Should the Obamas be the only family living in public housing who gets to send their kids to private schools?

Clint Bolick's full commentary may be found at: http://www.forbes.com/2008/11/30/education-obama-vouchers-oped-cx_cb_1201bolick_print.html

Soap Box Ravings believes that while the Obamas may have good reasons why their children need a private school. Soap Box Ravings concerns are that Obama does not see that others also may have good reasons why their children should go to a private school.

Soap Box Ravings believes we will see at lot more hypocrisy from the Obamas as time passes.

Oklahoma Trooper Honored

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Sheldon Robinson

On his day off, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Sheldon Robinson dropped his wife and two children off at Burger King while he went across the street for an oil change for his vehicle. As he pulled into the service area his wife notified him of a man with a gun in Burger King who was threatening to kill everybody.

As Trooper Robinson turned around he saw people including his family running out of the store and taking cover. Upon arrival he noticed a man inside dressed in black armed with a handgun.

Trooper Robinson managed to come up behind the man, who was praying to Allah for help in carrying out his mission. Robinson grabbed the armed man and managed to place him under arrest.

Full story at: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20081205_16_A1_OKLAHO761585

Soap Box Ravings adds his personal commendation to Trooper Robinson for disregarding his personal safety while meeting his duty. Not everyone hears the call of danger and responds towards it. In fact in our society people have been known to not even make the effort to call for assistance by telephone, since they did not want to get involved.

Kudos For Governor Palin

Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin

Governor Palin Lauds Firearm Decision
by U.S. Secretary of Interior

December 5, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today lauded the decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior that will allow an individual to carry a concealed weapon in national parks and wildlife refuges. The new rule only applies if the individual is authorized to carry a concealed weapon under state law in the state in which the national park or refuge is located.

“The possession and use of firearms is especially critical to Alaskans,” Governor Palin said. “We will continue to protect gun rights. The ability to carry a firearm can define a life or death situation, especially for protection against surprise encounters with wildlife, mainly bears. I appreciate the Interior Department recognizing this is a step in the right direction.”

Within Alaska, most of the national parks and refuge areas are open to various forms of hunting, so possession and use of firearms is already widely allowed under both state and federal law. Currently, firearms are prohibited in Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Sitka National Historical Park. The new rule will take effect in January.

Soap Box Ravings says be alert for any other Governor from any state that goes on record saying this is a good decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Soap Box Ravings predicts the list will be very, very short.

A Great F@#$%^& Idea From Senator Dodd

For those who vote but don't have a clue, Senator Dodd is the white haired man on the right.

Senator Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., the Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee has called for the head of General Motors to step down. Senator Dodd says GM should consider new leadership.

The complete article may be found at: http://news.aol.com/article/senator-calls-for-new-car-company-execs/270469

Soap Box Ravings really likes this new concept put forth by Senator Dodd. I have to tell you Soap Box ravings really, really, really loves this new concept of Senator Dodds. basically it is, If you had a leadership position during the downfall, you should resign from your position before any assistance is offered.

Soap Box Ravings can only ask, "Does this also apply to the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress after all runs the country. The President can only agree and sign bills presented or he/she may veto the bills presented. If the President vetoes a bill Congress can either override the veto or live with it and move on.

So the Question is, Should Senator Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and his associates both in the senate and in the House resign their exalted positions for their participation in the economic debacle our country finds itself in?

If auto executives are to be held responsible for playing by the rules dealt them by our Government, the United Auto Workers Union, the banking industry, etc. why do we not hold Senators and Representatives accountable for results that happened on their watch; especially when they wrote many of the rules everyone else had to play by.

For an added attraction, try this: Google Senator Dodd and Countrywide Bank

He Just Doesn't Get It

Typical Airport Checkpoint X-Ray Unit

Georgia Felon sentenced for 'Forgetting' Stolen Handgun In Carry-On Luggage

Full story at: http://pittsburgh.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2008/pt111408b.htm

Joseph J. Bobbitt, Jr.has been sentenced 36 months' imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release for violating federal firearms laws.

Here is a short list of some of his offenses:
1. possession of stolen property
2. convicted felon in possession of a firearm
3. possession of firearm in an airport restricted area
4. and not stated but chances are good he was in possession of ammunition in a airport restricted area.


Soap Box Ravings says here is another example of the failure of laws to keep people in line.

While sometimes people forget they are carrying, it would be much harder to do if you have been previously convicted in court of a felony. Particularly when you have been pointedly instructed in the meaning of your conviction by the court and again by correctional officials.

As an retired airport police officer I really have to wonder how anyone in this country could not know about airport security.

Soap Box ravings feels that this person got off relatively light based on the federal charges against him. The good point of the story is the federal prison system does not give away as much time for good behavior as some of the states do.

Go Get'm Gun Mom

Permitted Open Carry Gun Mom

Pistol-packing Pennsylvania Soccer Mom Sues Lebanon County Sheriff

Full story available at: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=4352239

A Pennsylvania woman sued Lebanon County Sheriff Michael DeLeo for violating her Second Amendment rights. The sheriff had revoked her concealed-weapons permit, without a hearing, after parents complained of her wearing her holstered pistol to her 5-year-old daughter's soccer game.

In Pennsylvania, persons 18 years of age and older whom are not prohibited by law from owning firearms may openly carry a handgun in plain sight with no license except in vehicles*, cities of the first class** (Philadelphia) and where prohibited specifically by statute. Ref.: Title 18, ch.61, Subchapter A. Uniform Firearms Act & Commonwealth v. Ortiz

As a retired law enforcement officer, Soap Box Ravings does not like to see law enforcement capriciously enforcing the law.

Soap Box Ravings believes if laws are on the books, they need to be enforced. If management (e.g. Governors, Mayors, Sheriffs or Chiefs of Police) feel laws should not be enforced then they should go on record as trying to rescind the laws in question.

Soap Box Ravings also does not believe that enforcers of the law should bend laws to resolve problems some members of the public may see. It would appear in this case, that since Pennsylvania allows open carry, with some restrictions, that this soccer mom broke no laws. When somewhat suffers consequences of the law and the law does not exist it would seem to be to be very similar to false arrest.

Another problem for law enforcement is that many Departments do not formally update their officers on the changes in law that occur every year. By the time the available handbooks are on the market, and they are not cheap, it can be half a year after the law took affect. Soap Box Ravings feels that police administrators are responsible to make sure their deputies and officers know the laws in effect.

Go get'm gun Mom!!!!

Marine Designated Marksman

A USMC Designated Marksman with Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) more formally United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO. A modified and accurized version of the M14 rifle built for and used solely by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

The storyline says: "Marines Prevailed in a Day of Battle" and the full article can be found at: http://www.military.com/news/article/marines-prevailed-in-a-day-of-battle.html?ESRC=eb.nl

It started out just like any other Afghan patrol. Thirty or so combat experienced Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment pass through the village of Shewan, in Afghanistan's Farah province where they unknowingly ran into an ambush, insurgents team about 250, Marine team 30 or so.

The Marines leader said that he was prepared for contact but wasn't expecting any at that point. Eight hours after the ambush started it ended with 50 dead insurgents and one injured Marine.

Soap Box Ravings says it was the Marines training and team work applied aggressively to the enemy which saved the day. Initially the Marines concentrated on holding off the assault while they rescued one marine trapped in a vehicle. Then they pulled back, reorganized and aggressively took the fight to the enemy who were surprised the Marines returned to the fight.

Soap Box Ravings points out one major force multiplier for the Marines was their Designated Marksman who coolly shot insurgent after insurgent all while exposed to and under heavy enemy fire. This Designated Marksman killed 20 insurgents with 20 rounds.

Soap Box Ravings feels that the Marines developed the Designated Marksman because they understand help is minutes away and often times they can not afford to wait. As you think about this, remember the Marines have always maintained every Marine is a rifleman. However they also understand there are some Marines are better rifleman than others and to arm them with more accurate equipment is a good thing.

In Soap Box Ravings opinion, Army rifle training does not equal Marine rifle training. My son-in-law, a former Marine who is now an Army Apache pilot had a conversation on the Army rifle range regarding the M-16 rifle's ability to hit man-sized targets outside 300 yards. The Army rifle instructors were not trained to engage outside of 300 yards.

More News Regarding Oceania Nautica's Pirate Adventure

Oceania Nautica in Port Sultan Qaboos, Sultanate of Oman

Ship Passengers Recount Pirate Attack

The entire story is available at:
http://news.aol.com/article/ship-passengers-recount-pirate-attack/253628

Soap Box Ravings notes in this article passengers described hearing "the Pop! Pop! Pop! of the pirate's rifles firing at the ship." My experiences at sea and as a firearms instructor tell me the only way the passengers could have heard the rifles firing would be for them to be watching from the weather decks of the Nautica from the same side as the shooters.

If they were watching from the weather decks, the crew was not doing their job protecting the passengers. Since the pirates are known to have rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) as well as rifles, all unnecessary personnel including the crew should have been moved to the inside passageways. This would place cabins between the incoming rounds and those onboard the ship.

In Soap Box Ravings opinion the fun is over when the person next to you takes a round between the eyes.

Soap Box Ravings as has been said is a proponent of individual rights. But with those rights comes individual responsibility. The most important criteria of self protection is your ability to think and plan ahead. Wendy Armitage, Wellington, New Zealand said "We didn't think they would be cheeky enough to attack a cruise ship." And in Soap Box Ravings' opinion that was here first error in judgement. Let's ask the question, Sailing a ship full of "money" through an area of known pirate activity could cause what?"

Soap Box Ravings is sure that Oceania Cruises who operates the ship assured all of the passengers prior to leaving port. The cruise ships I have been on like to assign passengers to certain areas when the passengers are required to wait. However, most of these areas have large windows. Therefore the dining areas, bars, swimming deck and most other areas are not safe when receiving incoming fire.

Soap Box Ravings says the article points out International warships have created and patrol a security corridor through the area. As has been pointed out by myself and others regardless of where you are, "The police are only minutes away."

Let us remember that this ship has upward of 1000 people on board counting passengers and crew. It needs to be operated to make money but I question if it needs to be operated without the ability to protect itself in a known pirate operating area. This time it outrun the pirates but I have ridden many a ship with a main engine out of commission during transit. The loss of a main propulsion plant always reduces your speed.