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Author: TriSec    Date: 09/25/2012 10:23:47

Good Morning.

Today is our 4,006th day in Afghanistan.

We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,121
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,069

We find this morning's cost of war passing through:

$ 1,376, 329, 700, 000 .00


I've only got one story this morning. I recently changed my news-gathering methods, and discovered that my Ask a Vet clipboard is empty or stale, so I'll be revamping things yet again. In the meantime, read this story from a Marine returning from Afghanistan.


SEABROOK, N.H. — Sitting in her grandmother’s living room, petite and pretty Sara Adams looks nothing like the typical “leatherneck.”

But this 22-year old “Jarhead” just got back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines. After arriving back at San Diego’s Camp Pendleton, there was only one place she wanted to spend her two-week leave: at home in Seabrook, with family and her best friend Breann Nadeau. They’re the people she went to Afghanistan to protect.

The daughter of Jill York and John Adams and granddaughter of Sylvia Adams Bouchard, Sara Adams grew up in Seabrook, graduating with Winnacunnet High School’s class of 2008. She was finishing her first year at UMass Lowell as a criminal justice/psychology major when she decided to join the Marines.

“College is expensive, so I thought I’d look into another option,” Adams said. “I always liked the idea of the military. I liked the lifestyle. I knew I had the discipline to get through. It’s a pride thing. I wanted to be deployed. I wanted to be part of something big, to do my part.”

***

Deployed to Camp Delaram in Helmand Province in Afghanistan for the past eight months, Adams provided back-up intelligence support for those in the field. Because of the sensitivity of her job, she wasn’t allowed out of camp or to mingle with the country people. Yet Afghanistan had an impact.

Poised and articulate, Adams stopped a minute to choose the right words to try to describe what life was like outside Camp Delaram’s walls.

“The buildings were cracked; there are no paved roads; the kids ran around barefoot,” Adams said. “But it’s not the physical things that impress you. It’s that the people there are always in fear of their lives. It makes you appreciate America, makes you love America.”

***

Home for awhile to catch up with her 15-year-old brother Jeremy, “my pride and joy,” and the rest of her family and her friends, Adams is also contemplating what will happen in a couple of years when her five-year stint with the Marines is complete. She could return to college full time, for the GI Bill will pay for it, she said, or she could go with another intelligence-related government agency or private company, for her top-secret clearance makes that a strong possibility.

Civilian life could be in California or Pennsylvania, where her boyfriend’s from, Adams said, but her best friend shook her head.

“She won’t do that; she’s coming home,” Nadeau said. “Home to Seabrook.”

 

72 comments (Latest Comment: 09/25/2012 23:07:23 by livingonli)
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Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 12:52:55
Good morning!

How are things settling in Mala?

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 12:54:44
Morning all.

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 12:56:23
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/284373_10151408777012166_1566453063_n.jpg


Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 12:58:42
Morning, folks. Reposting from last night:


The pilot's side window is usually their emergency egress.

Also worth noting, in case of an in-flight fire, it's recommended that all ventilation be shut off or restricted, in order to reduce the flow of air to the fire. If one of those windows "opened", there would be an influx of oxygen to the fire. Ever hear of flashover?




Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 13:03:58
Quote by TriSec:
Morning, folks. Reposting from last night:


The pilot's side window is usually their emergency egress.

Also worth noting, in case of an in-flight fire, it's recommended that all ventilation be shut off or restricted, in order to reduce the flow of air to the fire. If one of those windows "opened", there would be an influx of oxygen to the fire. Ever hear of flashover?


He's an idiot. Truly, an idiot.


Comment by wickedpam on 09/25/2012 13:16:51
Quote by Raine:
Good morning!

How are things settling in Mala?


Morning

Still unpacking but its winding down, thank goodness. Just have the 2 sales rooms to deal with now and I have some field managers to boss around to help


Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 13:20:09
I don't get this whole "Obama let China Cheat" tack that Mitt seems to be on. that's the only ad getting any airplay locally.

How about an example or two, bucko? Otherwise, file under " I know you are but what am I? "

Professor Obama vs. Middle School back row student here, methinks.



Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 13:23:10
Quote by TriSec:
I don't get this whole "Obama let China Cheat" tack that Mitt seems to be on. that's the only ad getting any airplay locally.

How about an example or two, bucko? Otherwise, file under " I know you are but what am I? "

Professor Obama vs. Middle School back row student here, methinks.

Next time you watch that ad, take notice that there are None, Zero, zip references.


Comment by BobR on 09/25/2012 13:28:53
Quote by TriSec:
I don't get this whole "Obama let China Cheat" tack that Mitt seems to be on. that's the only ad getting any airplay locally.

How about an example or two, bucko? Otherwise, file under " I know you are but what am I? "

Professor Obama vs. Middle School back row student here, methinks.


Classic Rove tactic - take your biggest weakness and accuse your opponent of it.

Comment by BobR on 09/25/2012 13:29:10
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/292905_385251394877020_331133990_n.jpg

The end of last night's game: one ref called touchback - the one standing right next to him called touchdown

Comment by wickedpam on 09/25/2012 13:36:27
Quote by TriSec:
I don't get this whole "Obama let China Cheat" tack that Mitt seems to be on. that's the only ad getting any airplay locally.

How about an example or two, bucko? Otherwise, file under " I know you are but what am I? "

Professor Obama vs. Middle School back row student here, methinks.




Mom asked how exactly are they "cheating" - told her I thought it must be about piracy or something.

Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 13:37:46
Listening to TRMS on Scott Brown....I think she read my blog Saturday!



Comment by clintster on 09/25/2012 13:46:22
Guess what the Fox News talking point for this will be:

Michelle Obama reuses formal dress for Congressional Black Caucus Gala

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 13:48:20
Quote by TriSec:
I don't get this whole "Obama let China Cheat" tack that Mitt seems to be on. that's the only ad getting any airplay locally.

How about an example or two, bucko? Otherwise, file under " I know you are but what am I? "

Professor Obama vs. Middle School back row student here, methinks.




I've seen that on more occasion. What the hell is he talking about. If we haven't, let's add China to the list of countries Mitt's managed to insult.

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 13:55:24
Quote by clintster:
Guess what the Fox News talking point for this will be:

Michelle Obama reuses formal dress for Congressional Black Caucus Gala
*gasp* she uses second hand clothes??



Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 13:56:02
I love this site: What Romeny Makes.

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 13:59:28
Staples closing more stores. I would say this is a Bain Fail!

Comment by clintster on 09/25/2012 14:06:11
Quote by Raine:
Staples closing more stores. I would say this is a Bain Fail!


I hope they don't close the one near me. It's close and the printing department is really spot-on.

Comment by clintster on 09/25/2012 14:07:02
Quote by Raine:
Quote by clintster:
Guess what the Fox News talking point for this will be:

Michelle Obama reuses formal dress for Congressional Black Caucus Gala
*gasp* she uses second hand clothes??


(Skeeter)She wore a thrift store dress to a hip-hop barbecue.(/Skeeter)

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 14:08:27
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Raine:
Staples closing more stores. I would say this is a Bain Fail!


I hope they don't close the one near me. It's close and the printing department is really spot-on.



If I am reading the article correctly, they are closing stores in Europe. You are not in Europe, right?

Comment by clintster on 09/25/2012 14:13:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Raine:
Staples closing more stores. I would say this is a Bain Fail!


I hope they don't close the one near me. It's close and the printing department is really spot-on.



If I am reading the article correctly, they are closing stores in Europe. You are not in Europe, right?

Well, if you ask me and my National Geographic World Atlas, and my GPS unit, and everyone living around me, no.
If you ask Mitt Romney and the RWNJs, I will be
http://dailypicksandflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/soon-cats-vs-fishermen.jpg


Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 14:18:37
Say, chocolate chip cookies are healthier than Ho-Hos, yes?

(Look, there's Milk, and eggs, and flour....< Bill Cosby > )


Comment by wickedpam on 09/25/2012 14:18:43
Quote by Raine:
Staples closing more stores. I would say this is a Bain Fail!



I make it a point to go to Office Depot or any other place now that I know Bain has a hand in Staples

Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 14:19:38
Quote by clintster:

Well, if you ask me and my National Geographic World Atlas, and my GPS unit, and everyone living around me, no.
If you ask Mitt Romney and the RWNJs, I will be
http://dailypicksandflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/soon-cats-vs-fishermen.jpg



Say now, what's so bad about living in Europe? I bet I could have had my appendix out and received chemotherapy there, too. And I bet I could walk a block and get a train to the doctor's office, too.



Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 14:21:10
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by clintster:
Quote by Raine:
Staples closing more stores. I would say this is a Bain Fail!


I hope they don't close the one near me. It's close and the printing department is really spot-on.



If I am reading the article correctly, they are closing stores in Europe. You are not in Europe, right?
They are closing stores in the United states as well.

Either way, Bain Fail.

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 14:21:47
Quote by clintster:
(Skeeter)She wore a thrift store dress to a hip-hop barbecue.(/Skeeter)



Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 14:24:24
This is sad.

I'm gonna call the Kroeger Store in Warner Robbins the Bastard manager Kroeger.

Altho I wish that young woman were more informed about healthcare reform.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 14:25:25
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by clintster:

Well, if you ask me and my National Geographic World Atlas, and my GPS unit, and everyone living around me, no.
If you ask Mitt Romney and the RWNJs, I will be
http://dailypicksandflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/soon-cats-vs-fishermen.jpg



Say now, what's so bad about living in Europe? I bet I could have had my appendix out and received chemotherapy there, too. And I bet I could walk a block and get a train to the doctor's office, too.



Or an efficent, clean, comfortable trolly car! Trolly cars rule. (Urban Light Rail Dork)

Comment by clintster on 09/25/2012 14:28:17
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by clintster:

Well, if you ask me and my National Geographic World Atlas, and my GPS unit, and everyone living around me, no.
If you ask Mitt Romney and the RWNJs, I will be
http://dailypicksandflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/soon-cats-vs-fishermen.jpg



Say now, what's so bad about living in Europe? I bet I could have had my appendix out and received chemotherapy there, too. And I bet I could walk a block and get a train to the doctor's office, too.


Well, there's Real Europe, where you could get all those done, and Chair Europe, where you'd be subject to Shania Law while the government broke into your house to break your piggy bans and... I-I'm sorry, I can't get that derpy this early in the AM.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 09/25/2012 14:29:50

Fark headline this morning

Wisconsin learns why unions are important.



Comment by wickedpam on 09/25/2012 14:33:00
Quote by Raine:
This is sad.

I'm gonna call the Kroeger Store in Warner Robbins the Bastard manager Kroeger.

Altho I wish that young woman were more informed about healthcare reform.


I was just reading that too. I know we're all guilty of judging others from time to time but that's just cruel.


Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 14:34:36
Quote by Raine:
This is sad.

I'm gonna call the Kroeger Store in Warner Robbins the Bastard manager Kroeger.




Nerger said she is sure there are some people on food stamps who are "just lazy," but she resents supermarket judgment no matter what. "I've seen some comments from people talking about how they hate standing in line with somebody who's got food stamps because they’ve got two carts full of food," Nerger said. "Did you not realize maybe this person is not able to get to the grocery store but once a month?"



Been there. Food Stamps came out in Mass twice a month, on the first and the 15th. We tended to stock up on the more expensive items those weeks.

(Are they really called Food Stamps again? I thought the point of renaiming it to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was to remove the stigma?)

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 14:36:44
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Raine:
This is sad.

I'm gonna call the Kroeger Store in Warner Robbins the Bastard manager Kroeger.




Nerger said she is sure there are some people on food stamps who are "just lazy," but she resents supermarket judgment no matter what. "I've seen some comments from people talking about how they hate standing in line with somebody who's got food stamps because they’ve got two carts full of food," Nerger said. "Did you not realize maybe this person is not able to get to the grocery store but once a month?"



Been there. Food Stamps came out in Mass twice a month, on the first and the 15th. We tended to stock up on the more expensive items those weeks.

(Are they really called Food Stamps again? I thought the point of renaiming it to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was to remove the stigma?)



No, yes. They aren't coupons any more. It is a debit type card.

Comment by wickedpam on 09/25/2012 14:41:11
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Raine:
This is sad.

I'm gonna call the Kroeger Store in Warner Robbins the Bastard manager Kroeger.




Nerger said she is sure there are some people on food stamps who are "just lazy," but she resents supermarket judgment no matter what. "I've seen some comments from people talking about how they hate standing in line with somebody who's got food stamps because they’ve got two carts full of food," Nerger said. "Did you not realize maybe this person is not able to get to the grocery store but once a month?"



Been there. Food Stamps came out in Mass twice a month, on the first and the 15th. We tended to stock up on the more expensive items those weeks.

(Are they really called Food Stamps again? I thought the point of renaiming it to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was to remove the stigma?)



No, yes. They aren't coupons any more. It is a debit type card.


They call it the SNAP program here - heck even our farmers market takes it


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 14:47:35
I've just been informed that the comcast webmail doesn;t have a subject line on a new email, unlike every other email program since the dawn of time!



Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 14:50:10
I had the debit card here. Works just as easily as swiping the ol' bank card. Only you had to be careful not to "overbuy" or it would reject. It did require some effort on behalf of the user - I was also careful not to have any forbidden items on that particular shopping day.



Comment by BobR on 09/25/2012 15:14:17
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
This is sad.

I'm gonna call the Kroeger Store in Warner Robbins the Bastard manager Kroeger.

Altho I wish that young woman were more informed about healthcare reform.


I was just reading that too. I know we're all guilty of judging others from time to time but that's just cruel.

Quoting her from the end of the article:
"They’re all gonna kill us," she said. "Most of the people that we have to choose from -- Obama with his spending and his health care reform, and then Mitt Romney, he just wants to let poor people die, so either way we're doomed. So I don’t see any point in voting."

How sad is it that the "Obamacare" she thinks is going to "kill" her could actually end up saving her?

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 15:15:27
Scott Brown is a real piece of work. Tri, have you seen this?

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 15:16:44
Quote by BobR:
Quoting her from the end of the article:
"They’re all gonna kill us," she said. "Most of the people that we have to choose from -- Obama with his spending and his health care reform, and then Mitt Romney, he just wants to let poor people die, so either way we're doomed. So I don’t see any point in voting."

How sad is it that the "Obamacare" she thinks is going to "kill" her could actually end up saving her?
That's the part that made me go

IT was also the Dems that fought to preserve the SNAP program.




Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 15:25:51
Quote by Raine:
Scott Brown is a real piece of work. Tri, have you seen this?


No, that's a new one.

Who knew they were Braves fans? < ducks brick >

Sheesh. I really wonder why the Wampanoags or other indigenous tribes haven't made a stink over this.



Comment by livingonli on 09/25/2012 15:44:14
Good morning, folks. I guess maybe public outrage at the botched calls will finally get the NFL to settle. Just loved hearing the unbleeped shouts of "bullshit" at Sunday night's Pats-Ravens game which couldn't be muted without cutting all nat sound from the game. Now, if only the NHL owners would stop being greedy dicks since it's not going to help them a US fan base if another season gets messed up since it seems at least Major League Baseball learned after the '94-'95 debacle.

Comment by Raine on 09/25/2012 15:47:29
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning, folks. I guess maybe public outrage at the botched calls will finally get the NFL to settle. Just loved hearing the unbleeped shouts of "bullshit" at Sunday night's Pats-Ravens game which couldn't be muted without cutting all nat sound from the game. Now, if only the NHL owners would stop being greedy dicks since it's not going to help them a US fan base if another season gets messed up since it seems at least Major League Baseball learned after the '94-'95 debacle.
The biggest sticking point is that the Referee's want to keep the pension as it is and not have it turned into a 401(k) -- as annoying as all of this is, I stand with the Ref's on this issue.


Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 15:48:07
An awful lot of Bruins are decamping for Europe. If the lockout goes deep into the European season, the question is, will any of those players come back?

Unlike basketball, the USA is not the world's premiere hockey league.


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 15:48:24
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning, folks. I guess maybe public outrage at the botched calls will finally get the NFL to settle. Just loved hearing the unbleeped shouts of "bullshit" at Sunday night's Pats-Ravens game which couldn't be muted without cutting all nat sound from the game. Now, if only the NHL owners would stop being greedy dicks since it's not going to help them a US fan base if another season gets messed up since it seems at least Major League Baseball learned after the '94-'95 debacle.
The biggest sticking point is that the Referee's want to keep the pension as it is and not have it turned into a 401(k) -- as annoying as all of this is, I stand with the Ref's on this issue.



Labor over management.

Comment by livingonli on 09/25/2012 15:48:59
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning, folks. I guess maybe public outrage at the botched calls will finally get the NFL to settle. Just loved hearing the unbleeped shouts of "bullshit" at Sunday night's Pats-Ravens game which couldn't be muted without cutting all nat sound from the game. Now, if only the NHL owners would stop being greedy dicks since it's not going to help them a US fan base if another season gets messed up since it seems at least Major League Baseball learned after the '94-'95 debacle.
The biggest sticking point is that the Referee's want to keep the pension as it is and not have it turned into a 401(k) -- as annoying as all of this is, I stand with the Ref's on this issue.

I wish we could go pack to pensions because they were much more secure and guarantee than betting on the Stock Market. Just ask the people who worked for Enron.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 16:07:08
I take a lot of heat from friends about siding with the players, officials & etc when there are these sports related labor disputes. "How can you side with those spoiled, overpaid crybabies?" Because they have issues that can have impact on how you are treated at work.

Comment by TriSec on 09/25/2012 16:18:06
This is possibly the most alarming thing China has done recently.

Spratly Islands, among others. You could look it up.


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/25/2012 16:19:41
Quote by TriSec:
This is possibly the most alarming thing China has done recently.

Spratly Islands, among others. You could look it up.


yeah, that is a bit disturbing.

Comment by Scoopster on 09/25/2012 17:08:06
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