SUV’s ‘suck’ in Combat – Book Signing in West Chester, PA

Please save this date: Friday, October 1, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Why?

You are invited to join us for a fun evening and book signing with Kerry Kachejian author of SUVs SUCK in Combat (a story of chaos & valor and the rebuilding of Iraq during a raging insurgency). It is a book to be proud of and one that I envy the first-time reader’s experience in reading. You’ll come away with a better understanding of the early years of our efforts in Iraq and even more appreciation for the men & women that served there.

Where?

Chester County Book & Music Company

975 Paoli Pike

West Chester, PA 19380

Directions and/or map to the booksigning.

Date: Oct 1, 2010
From: 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Kerry is a native of West Chester, and he will attend with his sister Regina Curley. We hope that you will be able to join them there.

I’ve started reading this book and I find I can’t put it down. This is the story of Iraq ignored by the MSM in favor of body counts. You will walk away from this book with a greater appreciation of the crucial work of our men and women in uniform.

Take The Congressional Quiz

Think you’re an expert on Congressional issues?  Take this practice quiz and see how well you know Congress:

Congress: Powers, Members – Practice Quiz

I scored 14/20 – ouch.

It is always good to periodically assess you knowledge base. Hey, now I know franking is really a legitimate activity of Congress, not something specific to Barney Frank.

H/T: Blonde Sagacity

Delicious Irony – Anti War Activists Homes Raided by FBI

On September 24th, the homes of five antiwar activists were raided by agents from the FBI. The raids were part of an FBI probe into ‘activities concerning the material support of terrorism.’ At first, I thought they were members of a local peace group calling itself the Chester County Peace Movement. Not this time, apparently.

My Two Cents on Net Neutrality

“When institutions (China) start screwing around with routers preferences fire walls and censorship, really bad stuff starts happening; often its insidious. ” ~ Google CEO Eric Schmidt circa 2008

According to a May 2010 Pew study, 79% of American adults use the internet. Over 90% of users use the internet to send or read email; 80% of users use a search engine to find information. It is now second nature to most American’s to turn to the internet to ‘google’ information, post or view videos on YouTube, wirelessly upload photos from smartphones to Flickr or post status updates on numerous social media platforms. Not forgetting, the rise of the blogosphere the past decade.

Users race to purchase the latest and greatest electronics to facilitate these activities. These consumers are just as quick to jump to providers that offer a better service at a lower price. I’m reminded of AOL offering a flat fee for unlimited dial up internet access back in the mid nineties.  How long did it take other internet providers to offer the same?

Now it is being proposed that government oversight is needed in the form of Net Neutrality?

For those just joining the conversation, Net Neutrality broadly defined means that internet users have the right to unfettered access to the internet. ISP’s shall not be allowed to monkey with users abilty to access content. Another view of net neutrality sees this simply as a power grab by a government. As Eric Schmidt stated, when institutions start screwing with the net..bad stuff happens.

The principle of Net Neutrality makes me squeemish and every time this subject comes up in conversation, I’m always reminded of the short story ‘Harrison Bergeron‘. Right now in real life, if Comcast interrupts internet service one more time on the weekend, I’m switching to Verizon. Working withing the constraints of  ‘Net Neutrality’ both ISP’s would be required to provide equally crappy internet service. There would be no reason for either company to pursue innovative pricing or technology to maintain their customer base. A competitive market environment would be a better check on the ISP’s and continue to be an incentive for ISP’s to produce a better product for internet users.

We know from experience (obamacare, etc) that any type of government involvement inserts additional layers of complexity between the user and product. More layers of bureacracy equals less control consumers have over a product they have freely purchased. The more control in the hands of consumers results in robust internet access for all. As of now, an open internet is already in the hands of consumers.

Although the FCC produced non binding principles on net neutrality, Google and Verizon have proceeded with proposing a framework for net neutrality legislation. Their proposal would allow users “to choose any lawful content, services or applications they want; in other words, they can choose whatever Internet service they want, go to whatever legal Web sites they want, and use whatever software or applications they want.” These are services internet users already have access to right here, right now. the proposal includes micromanagement tools such as ISP content management transparency and limiting the prioritizing of internet traffic. Bandwidth can always be increased, why place limits on it? Overall, I don’t see anything in this proposal that would incentivize ISP’s to provide better technology or protect consumers. What I need to to see is evidence based data, not speculative opinion on this issue.  Both Google and Verizon have failed to produce any convincing data to back up their proposal. Would it not be better to consider any alleged act of abuse by an ISP on a case-by-case basis then enact over reaching legislation based on speculation?

In fairness, this is just a proposal that politicians can either use or ignore. The great unknown stems from what regulations will be promoted by legislators. In the end, it will come down to who the public trusts more with keeping the internet ‘open’ – an ISP invested in internet technology or the US Congress.

Living in Philadelphia, I’ve witnessed first hand the slow delivery of technology due directly to city government and union interference. Philadelphia county was the last county to gain access to cable networks, a decade behind the rest of the state. It was only last year that Verizon inked a deal with city council to expand FiOS internet access into Philadelphia.  I’ve been down the road Verizon, Google and Net Neutrality supporters would like to take this nation. I know exactly where it ends and I know it is not a place we want to go.

That’s my two cents, what are your thoughts on this subject?

Toomesday Update – Good News for Pennsylvania!

Pat Toomey Speaks to Voters

Rasmussen describes Pat Toomey as ‘inching closer to the 50% mark this month, in his best showing yet in Pennsylvania’s Senate race‘.  Among likely voters polled on September 13th, Pat Toomey earned 49%  of their support, while the disgraced retired admiral,  Joe Sestak, garners 41% of the vote. In addition,2%  prefer another candidate  and 8% remain undecided.

Toomesday is coming to Pennsylvania.  Pat Toomey brings common sense solutions to our complex national issues.  He shares our common values of hard work and self reliance, values sorely lacking in Congress these days.

Mega List of Democrats in Key Congressional Races

Travis Childers
Dina Titus
Carol Shea-Porter
Ann Kuster
Harry Teague
John Hall
Michael Arcuri
Larry Kissell
Earl Pomeroy
Steve Driehaus
Mary Jo Kilroy
Zack Space
Kathy Dahlkemper
Bryan Lentz
Patrick Murphy
Chris Carney
Paul Kanjorski
John Spratt
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Roy Herron
Chet Edwards
Ciro Rodriguez
Glenn Nye
Tom Perriello
Denny Heck
Mike Oliviero
Julie Lassa
Steve Kagen
Steve Raby
Ami Bera
Joe Garcia
Trent Van Haaften
Stephene Ann Moore
John Callahan
Jon Hulburd
Jon Hurlburd
Stephen Pougnet
Lori Edwards
Ravi Sangisetty
Pat Miles
Tarryl Clark
Tom White
Matthew Zeller
Paula Brooks
Manan Trivedi
Brett Carter
Suzan Delbene
Colleen Hanabusa
Robert Dold
Cedric Richmond
Lisa Murkowski
Barbara Boxer
Michael Bennet
Alexi Giannoulias
Robin Carnahan

Witchcraft? Is That The Best They Got?

H/T: All American Blogger

Obama and cocaine? Oh, Yes He Did!

Down Under Flashback

September 19, 2000

Has it been 10 years? Checked the date and yes, ten years ago on September 19th 2000, I touched down in Australia during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games to join up with a Contiki tour. Ahh, the memories…

City Tavern Garden Party with Pat Toomey

The Independence Tea Hall Party Association outdid themselves this past Friday with their back to back events celebrating the 223 anniversary of the US Constitution.

First up was a ceremonial recommitting to the United States Constitution held right outside where the original document was signed at Independence Mall.  Actress Janine Turner was the guest speaker and the ceremony featured the We The People 9/17 essay contest winners from across this nation.  Unfortunately, my schedule did not allow me to attend this event. Talking to those who were there, it was described as a spectacular success.

This event was followed up by a Constitution Garden Party at the famous City Tavern Restaurant – the unofficial meeting place of the first continental congress.  What better place to celebrate the signing of the Constitution than at the same place the signers celebrated 223 years ago.  The future Senator of Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey was the guest of honor at this garden party. Other speakers included, NJ Congressional District 3 candidate, John Runyan, and PA Congressional District 17 candidate, Dave Argall

Any Given Saturday in West Chester

Due to many reasons, I haven’t participated in a Sheepdog rally in quite a while. Until I returned, I didn’t realize how much these rallies meant to me. Can you believe the rally recently passed its three year mark? It is simply impressive how far we have grown in that time. It seems like only yesterday when I showed up to see what the fuss was in West Chester. Indeed, it has been amazing journey to document, my friends. Take a walk down memory lane with this collection of photos from the rally over the years.

Those of you near West Chester who would like to participate, and believe me, it is well worth your time; we rally every Saturday at the corner of High and Market Streets in West Chester, Pa starting at 11 am and ending at Noon. Come join us as we spend an hour celebrating America.