Schadenfreude

Two Felte/on's....Felten And Felton. Viewpoints and Discussion From Two Old War Horses

Saturday, November 27, 2004

California, Here I Come

I found out on Wednesday that I would be sent to Petaluma, California. When this course is complete, I will go home for awhile and prepare to move. I have to make contact with the recruiting station commander and find out when I am expected.

Petaluma is about 35 miles north of San Francisco. I did a little research on the area. It seems to be a fairly expensive area to live...I hope there is base housing close by. The average home value is in excess of $280,000. Kinda pricey.

Mrs. Felten should be pleased. The area has a large Filipino community. This means resturants and social events she wasn't able to experience in Minnesota. That should make the transition easier for her to deal with.

I will call the station this week to let them know I'm coming. Hopefully, I won't have to report in until after the holidays.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Thursday Diversion


kaori shimamura, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

Happy Turkey Day. Here's something to be thankful for.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

The Long Fall

Dan Rather announced today that he would be stepping down as the anchor of "CBS Evening News".

So after 24 years of listening to his liberal commentary, we catch a break. He joins Tom Brokaw in retirement.

Maybe the embarrassment that turned his face as red as the Republican political map was too much. Perhaps he just wants to spend more time with Babs and Alec Baldwin. Who knows?

Who cares? Ding dong, the witch is dead.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Pull The Other One

The Commanding General of the Army Reserve came by today to tell us just how important we are to the recruiting mission. Although taking time out of his busy schedule was sincerely appreciated by all, we didn't need him to tell us that. We understand how the numbers are vital to readiness across the board.

What we were hoping to hear, we didn't. There is still no word on where we will be going when we're done with this course. Everyone (all 400 plus) of us have a horror story about having to be on station 10 days after we graduate and what a pain that's going to be. We are really worried about succeeding at a difficult job with so many unknowns.

Still, we are safe and sound in the good 'ol USA. Most of us have been to Iraq or Afghanistan, so we understand just what's at stake. And damned glad we are home.

We were told by the school that the Human Resources Command is busy working on our assignments. The same thing they told us last week. And the week before.

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Thursday Diversion


chisato kawamura, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

First Week

Finished the first testing portion of this course. Pretty simple stuff. Morals (ha!) and enlistment eligibility. Knocked that out this morning and started the new material this afternoon.

I've been in touch with the Minneapolis Recruiting Battalion in the hopes of finding a position in either the Twin Cities area or Rochester, Minnesota. I have a house in the Twin Cities. There's a few small issues with the timeline they've given me, and I'm not real happy with it.

I'm scheduled to graduate on 17 December. I'm supposed to be at my new unit on 27 December. In the meantime, I have to clear the unit I belong to now, and if I have to move, I have to do the following:

1. Sell my house.
2. Pull my daughter out of school.
3. Turn off all my utilities.
4. Arrange movement of my household goods.
5. My pregnant wife has to either quit her job or find an office she can transfer to.
6. Find a new place to live.
7. Get my utilities hooked up.
8. Get my household goods moved from wherever the Army stored them.
9. Find a new school for my child.
10. Help my wife find a new doctor.

All this, remember, has to be accomplished in 10 days. The U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) has yet to tell us where we are going. There are over 400 of us in this class, and they still need to do our backround investigations. We probably won't find anything out until the last week we're here. That's really going to complicate our lives.

In the 17 years I've been playing soldier, this is the most ate-up situation I've ever experienced. I can't believe this. I think the reason I'm not more angry is the fact that I'm still in shock.

Friday, November 12, 2004

France Honors Terrorist


arafat
Originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

France payed its respects to Arafat with a military honor guard, complete with Army pallbearers.

Chirac saluted Arafat as "a man of courage and conviction" who embodied the Palestinian fight for their national rights.

Suprising no one.

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Thursday Diversion


elisha, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

The beautiful Miss Cuthbert, from "24".

Magically delicious.

The Frogboy Croaks


arafat, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

The world's premire terrorist has died. The man responsible for Munich '72 and the rise of international terrorism finally has his day in hell. I'm sure Satan has some fun times planned for this one.

Clinton had some nice things to say. President Bush, however, didn't. I haven't heard how the French president feels. I'm pretty sure he's broken up, though.

How will the Palestinians react? Will they finally come to the realization that bombing buses will not bring about a lasting peace? Will Israel come to the bargaining table and finally stop building in Gaza? How will this affect the general disaster that is the peace process in the Middle East?

I won't miss him. Incredibly, he won the Nobel Peace Prize awhile back. That's not going to help much in Hades. As the Vodkapundit so delicately put it: "May his first day in Hell last 1,000 years".

Amen, brother.

Monday, November 08, 2004

Day One

I just finished my first day of Army Recruiter school. Quite what I expected.

There are over 400 students in this course. To a man (and woman) we don't want to be here. We all received either a phone call or an email stating that we HAVE to go. That having been said, we are all Non-Commissioned Officers and professionals. We will do our best, both in this course and in our new assignments. We have yet to find out where we will be posted. We filled out a "dream sheet" outlining our geographical preferences, but I have a sneaky suspicion I'm going to be sent to Armpit, U.S.A. because of the sheer numbers of recruiters the Army has decided to train.

My personal opinion is that the number of recruits is a fairly static number. This number is determined by geography, economy, and situation (financial and peace vs. war). I don't know that you can influence this number short of a draft.

With a war on, it is going to be very difficult to get those numbers up. The Army, in it's debateable wisdom, has decided that this is a mission that will succeed. They are so adamant, in fact, that they've called up recruiters who completed their tours and forced them back.

I go where I'm told and do what I'm legally ordered. Recruiters have a reputation, sometimes deservedly so, of being liars, cheats, and general B.S. artists. I know a few that have comprimised their personal integrity to get the numbers they were ordered to achieve. I pray that I will never fall into that trap. I intend to do the best job I can and get back to my regular Army career.

Today we just got administrative stuff done. More of the same for tomorrow, I think. Our days start pretty early. Physical training starts at 5 in the morning, and we are supposed to be done daily around 4:30 to 5:30. I'll keep you all posted as to what happens....

Zero Wing, Part II


allyourvotes, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

Shamelessly stolen from my friend Tiffany.

Friday, November 05, 2004

What Democrats Don't Understand


campaign10, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

OK, lets get this out of the way first. I am not gloating. While it is true that my candidates, for the most part, won and Tom Daschle lost, that is not what I want to talk about.

I am not happy with the tone of this election. No one focused on the issues; instead, sidebars ruled the day. I couldn't care less about the military records of these guys. I mean, for crying out loud, there were so many more pertinent issues that needed to be focused on. Why did the American people put up with this nonsense? I call it the "Jerry Springer Syndrome". Anyway, I don't want to talk about that, either.

I was watching "The Daily Show" the other night. The senior senator from New York was on as a guest. He was asked why he thought the Dems lost and "do we need to adjust our message?". His hubris was evident in his response.

"We didn't lose" and "Our message was received resoundingly by the majority of Americans" were the themes.

What?

Now, if anyone were to ask me why I thought the Democrats couldn't secure a majority in the House and Senate, or why President Bush didn't call Mayflower, I'd give the following reasons:

1. The candidate. Most of my friends are Democrats, believe it or not. When I asked them about Kerry, they could not really get excited about him. He was "the alternative to Bush". Not a good enough reason.

2. The issues.
a. "Anyone but Bush" is no reason to vote for someone. I mean, hell, Nader didn't get one single EC vote. Not one. You have to be excited about your candidate to win.
b. Terrorism. Sorry, guys, it trumps prescription meds and exporting jobs.
c. Economy. Yes, it was bad. You know what? He inherited that. And he fixed it. The budget is out of whack, but terrorism is trumping that, too.

The Democratic Party is at a crossroads. Are they going to become moderate? That would be the logical thing to do. There are many Republicans out there who are not comfortable with the Religious Right dictating the direction of the party. Are the Dems going to allow a likeable, moderate candidate to rise to the fore?

The Democrats think they understand what is important to the majority of Americans. This is, and will continue to be, their fatal flaw. Guess what? We DON'T WANT GAY MARRIAGE. We want the family and family values protected. The majority of Americans understand it is not the EVIL RICH who are getting over on the taxes. Hey, we aren't as stupid as the Dasch-holes would like to think. They are paying taxes. Usually, more than we are. Also, we're sure you're not doing too badly yourself, Tommy. Besides, if you keep punishing people for getting rich and being successful, what happens? Do be become a mediocre, socialist country? Guess so.

Terrorism, radical Islam, and how to best protect America from them are also right up there with us. We don't want to fight them here. That's why we go to Iraq. We understand the war isn't mismanaged. We have friends and family in the military. We actually know people who are there fighting this war, as opposed to Dan Rather, Susan Sarandon and Michael Bore. Speaking of Bore, we don't like Diktat's from Hollywood. Get off your high horses.

I'm hearing alot of the Hollywood elite who supported Kerry running up to the polls actually voted for Bush. I guess there is no honor among thieves. Either that, or they understand that if Kerry got elected, he would have taxed Americans so much they couldn't afford to go to the movies anymore.

The Democrats need to sit down and unscrew themselves. The elitist, "we know what is best for you" attitude didn't fly with Americans this time. Do you know something? It never will.

Thursday, November 04, 2004

Thursday Diversion


CMorishita14, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

Another Chisato pic. As if you're complaining.

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Happy Condom Day!

They sure know how to have fun in Nepal. I can't believe it's been ten years, can you?

KATHMANDU, Nov 2 (OneWorld) - On October 30, the Nepalese people celebrated something very unusual, a Condom Day, to spread awareness on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and population control. Interestingly, the Condom Day is being celebrated all over Nepal for the last ten years and has not only seen participation but also acceptance among the conservative Nepalese society. Parents allow their children, including girls to participate in the celebrations. As a school girl from a Kathmandu school put it: "My parents do not object to my participation in the Condom Day events." The day, which is celebrated on the first Saturday after Dashain, – a major festival of the Nepalese Hindus - was started in 1995 at the national level by the Nepal Red Cross. The Condon Day is an offshoot of the Reproductive Health Project of the Nepal Red Cross during the early nineties, which disseminated information on contraception in five districts. The head of communication of the Nepal Red Cross, Bijay Dahal, says: "Workers in Udaipur district decided to hold an exclusive event on the condom in 1993. Inspired by its success, we decided to hold the Condom Day in 1994 in all the five districts under the Reproductive Health Project. And finally in 1995, we launched it nation-wide and now it is celebrated in all the 75 districts of Nepal." Promoted by the Nepal Red Cross, the day has the backing of various non governmental organizations and the health department of the Nepal government. Dahal says: "Nearly 60 organizations are involved in the celebrations. The day has been a huge success as people have accepted and taken note of the importance of using condoms." The CRS Company, which was set up in 1978 to sell contraceptives through social marketing, estimates that nearly 45-50 million condoms are dispensed in Nepal. Managing director Shanker Raj Pandey says: "Nearly 20-25 million condoms are given free by the public sector. Another 20-25 million are dispensed through social marketing and nearly five million are sold through the private sector." But marketing condoms has not been an easy task. People harbour many misconceptions. Pandey elaborates: "People nurture a feeling that condoms are to be used outside marriage and not in marriage. There is a barrier between a husband and a wife over using condoms." Inducing behavior change in the society has not been easy. In Nepalgunj, which is dominated by Muslims, the approach was very different. Pandey says: "We spoke to the Muslim leaders and informed them about health. We did not speak to them about contraception but about AIDS and other diseases, and the condoms were accepted in the area." A country of 23.1 million people, Nepal has 4,800 people infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. The country saw its first AIDS death in 1988. the director of the Youth Department, Pitambar Aryal, says: "The Nepal Red Cross started the AIDS programme in 1994. Many positive people's organizations have come up and are helping in information dissemination openly, something which they could not do earlier." A big achievement for the Condom Day is that it unites all stakeholders and allows people to discuss AIDS, contraception and reproductive health. The celebrations in old Kathmandu roped in school children, positive people, NGO workers and also sex workers. Various estimates put the number of sex workers in the Kathmandu valley between 5,000 to 10,000 and nearly 10 to 15 organizations work with them on health and awareness. Exact numbers are difficult to compile because "prostitution is illegal in Nepal and also there is no red light area," says an employee of Centre for Development and Population Activities, which participated in the celebrations. The project coordinator of a Kathmandu-based NGO - General Welfare Pratishthan - Bharat Raut, says: "There are various kinds of sex workers. Most are those who work at the street level. Another segment is those who work as bar maids and in cabin restaurants. Another category consists of exclusive and upmarket sex workers." The General Welfare Pratishthan is working with nearly 3,000 sex workers. It has opened up drop-in centres where the women come and avail of health facilities and counseling. One of the enthusiastic sex workers at the Condom Day celebrations, Manmaya, (not her real name) who has been in the profession for the last three years, says: "I have seen a big change in the attitude of the clients and some men have even started bringing condoms." Manmaya now feels empowered enough to even persuade her clients to use condoms and tell them about AIDS and related diseases. She has also taken up peer-to-peer education – thanks to strenuous advocacy efforts by the NGOs.

Let's Make It Happen, Cap'n!


Oct11BushEmotionalPentServ, originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

Get out there and do your civic duty.

Monday, November 01, 2004

A Reprieve


Army recruiting
Originally uploaded by schadenfreude.
Well, a call came in from the governor at the 11th hour, so to say. I was supposed to leave for Fort Jackson on Halloween, but I got lucky. I was able to convince TPTB to allow me to enter the next class (scheduled for 7 October).

This buys me a little time with the family. Not much, but any little time spent with them is better than none.

After Snake Oil Sales school, I will be posted somewhere. My guess is L.A. or San Diego. I requested the Bay Area, but I doubt I'll get it. The lovely and charming Mrs. Felten would really like that part of California...more restaurants and cultural choices for her (she's Filipina). Minnesota, although my home and home to most of her immediate family for the last 7 or so years, is a cultural and culinary Siberia for her.

I have come to some sort of peace and acceptance about this whole thing. Much like a terminally ill patient, I guess. It's completely out of my control and I am at the whim of the Army. Like I said before, it could be much worse, and I could be in Iraq again.

So, I will post here until circumstances prevent me from doing otherwise. I hope to be able to at least put something up every other day or so. I know that's the big no-no in blogging....inconsistency. I will endeavor to be current, at least.