MIKE'S AT THE BEACH

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Taking Gluten Free a Bit Too Far...

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

As you would expect from an American who has a fundamental right (perhaps the most fundamental right) to free speech, the events today in Paris are hard to fathom. 12 people killed over cartoons. Cartoons! It is almost beyond belief. A couple of things strike me after the dust has settled and we've had some time to think and reflect.

First, this act took terrorism to a new level. These guys were trained and carried out a military operation. And it was inside the borders of France. This is not a lone, wild act. It's deliberate and well planned. They were ruthless. In their ruthlessness they showed their lack of humanity. Think about that the next time someone suggests we should accommodate these people.

Second, This was Islamic Terrorism. I know our government is not inclined to call this what it is, but there is no debating it really. I've blogged about this before. Don't tell me Islam is a peaceful religion. It's not. It is mired in the seventh century and is a violent, oppressive, non-forgiving religion. If and when the majority of "peace loving muslims" condemn these assholes, then we can talk.

Third, I'm at a loss why media outlets around the world aren't showing the cartoons. For a good read on this check out the story in Mashable. And why isn't the Hollywood actor community immediately putting on a show depicting these cartoons somehow and daring the Islamic Terrorists to take action. These guys always talk about their courage and their right to free expression. But when there is a risk, they turn their tail and run. Oh they'll have some tribute at their next big award show when they present each other with oh so important awards, but they don't remotely have the courage to actually do anything.

Fourth, Europe better wake up. They have made their own bed with their immigration laws. If you haven't been in a while, you'll be shocked at the Muslim influence. Go to some of the outskirts of London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, etc, etc, etc. Or rather, don't. You might not come out alive. There are many, many rats nests in the capitals of Europe. They need to be cleaned out. It can be done. Ask the NYPD!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Go For It!

Obama's Failures

If you've read any of my posts on our national security or foreign policy disasters, you know I'm no fan of Obama in this vein. Simply put, he has put us all in danger. At one point I thought maybe it was only incompetence, but really I've been thinking that there is something more. Something more sinister and something more pathetic. I'm not remotely reluctant to look at the writings of other, more articulate authors than me and post them here. That is especially true when someone nails a thought that I've had pinging around in my brain for awhile but couldn't pin it down. Such is the case with the latest article by Victor Davis Hansen on his blog. It is called "The Timid Generation" and you can read it here.

Here's the quote that really resonated with me:

President Obama hinted that he might someday retaliate against North Korea in a “proportionate” fashion. Would our grandparents have warned Japan that after Pearl Harbor we might conduct a similar raid against Tokyo Bay? Was the U.S. response that in fact followed, and flattened Japan, “disproportionate”? What happened to the idea that wars are prevented by creating deterrence — or the notion that aggression is unwise because the response will certainly be unpredictable, if not disproportionately severe?

I know I'm an old guy and have certain views. But those views have been shaped by a lot of years of seeing both good and bad (and sometimes dangerous) things being done by our leaders. In the foreign policy arena, failure seems to have been more prevalent than we'd all like. And Obama is easily the king of failure. I used to think Carter was the worst, but he doesn't hold a candle to Obama. I truly have never seen a leader who consistently does not do what he says he's going to do and even more amazingly, get a pass from the people. It is beyond me how anyone could remotely think that his foreign policy initiatives (such as they are) are anything but a complete disaster. And it's one thing to address these failures in a blog post or as an intellectual exercise, but the truth is that we as a country will have to live with them for a long time. Or they will overwhelm us.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Borders

The new year brought a new law for California that has made a big splash in the news. It seems that now illegal aliens can apply for and receive drivers licenses. In reading all the articles, this law has been coming or a few years and now is implemented in 2015. On the face of it, it is difficult for me to reconcile providing an official State document that can be used for all sorts of things to someone who is fundamentally living an illegal life. I get all the rationalizations on why this is something that the State should be doing. There are the arguments about giving them more mobility, allowing them to get insurance, giving them some legitimately, allowing for sanctioned identification, etc, etc, etc. But...like I said it's difficult for me to reconcile it. They are illegal. Illegal. As in breaking the law.

But this issue of driver's licenses is a subset of the whole immigration issue. No matter where you turn we are being failed by our elected representatives when it comes to immigration. Comprehensive immigration reform is something that would be good for everyone, and something that can be achieved, but as far as I can see partisan bickering is preventing it. Every faction has their ideas about what to do, what to prioritize, what the solution is. But fundamentally, this is a human problem. Our country is made up of immigrants. Hell, that's how it started. So on the one hand we should be bending over backwards to accommodate as many as possible. On the other, a society cannot continue without the rule of Law. And when laws are broken, it's difficult to reconcile the rationalizations that are provided by people who want a solution at any price.

I also don't get why we can't solve this problem when so many others can. Look at the borders in the European Union. They seem to be able to create a system in which people can move freely.

And then there is our border with Mexico. It's like an armed fortress.

There are a wide variety of border issues throughout the world. Some are extremely secure, some are a lot looser. Look at Israel/Gaza. Talk about secure! Or North Korea/South Korea. Now that is a demarkation. But it seems to me that we should be able to come to some accommodation with Mexico regarding our border.

But one thing is for sure. This problem isn't going away. Here in SoCal we are becoming more and more of a Hispanic based culture. That isn't bad...it just is. And we'd better figure out how to make it more rationale and legal for as many as possible to live a life without fear. It's in all our interests.

Monday Motivation

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Friday Funnies

You Say You Want A Resolution III

Copied below is my post from this time last year and my post from 2012 that enumerated my resolutions for the next year. Can I put it out there or what?! Of course, not than many folks are reading so it's sort of a small circle. It's interesting to go back and think about what I thought was important (or doable) and how I did with them. Anyway, I think setting goals (writing down resolutions) is a good idea. It gives you something to shoot for and think about. I'm not going to repeat all the reasons to conduct this little exercise because I still believe them. I'll comment in red below on the 2014 resolutions so you can see how I did. And here are my resolutions for 2015:

Strengthen my relationship with God and service to the Church--If you know me you're probably a bit surprised by this one. I mean, I've always had faith, have always believed. But I've never really been outgoing or demonstrative about it. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and facing my mortality, the fact that we have a new Priest and an opportunity for renewed energy/growth in our church, or it's just a natural evolution in my journey of faith. But whatever it is, I resolve to be more active and a stronger member of God's community in order to serve others.
Get better at Golf--Since retirement I've played a lot more and really enjoy it. Have joined the Men's Club at our resort and play in the weekly tournament and usually one other time during the week. I'm certainly above the threshold of embarrassment. But it is a maddening game. My ability (or lack of ability!) sometimes drives me crazy! But I'd like to get better and bring down my handicap. To that end I've recently started to take lessons. So we'll see. This is one that truly will only be known by the test of time. So check back next year and see if I've accomplished reducing my index.
Weight & Exercise--Ongoing. And more important as I age. As the saying goes, you've got to keep moving. I've been pretty successful at doing something almost every day. Need to keep that up!
Learn to play the guitar--Here I go again. I've got a good start. Now I really need to follow through and go to the next step. This is one that I'll attack after the craziness of the holidays recedes.
Take a pottery class--I've been a failure at this but resolve to move forward. Not sure yet when or where, but it's going to happen.
Go to more cultural live events--From 2013 and hit or miss in 2014. We always like going to plays, concerts, live events. But we don't do it enough. So in 2015 I resolve that we are going to increase our involvement with the arts. Maybe get a subscription to the Globe. Maybe do the same for the Summer Pops. Maybe look at other venues more closely. It's all enriching.
Travel--We've got several trips planned next year and they will be great. I traveled a lot in my job and at one point thought I didn't want to travel very much when I stopped. But as I get farther away from that, I realize how cool it is to see other places and experience other cultures. I think we need to do more while we're still young enough, healthy enough, and energetic enough to enjoy it. It's easy to sit back and just live your life at home. But now that we have the time and means, we need to get out there. Check back next year to see how we did.

And as always, here's the quote that I think of when thinking of facing the new year, “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better person.” –Benjamin Franklin

Happy 2015 Everyone!!

2013

Last December, when Mike's At The Beach was relatively new, I had a post on resolutions. You know, those things that we all make but rarely keep. I thought it might be fun (or maybe painful and embarrassing) to go back to review them, take stock, and either update or make some new ones. Here's last year's post:

Dec 31, 2012--You Say You Want A Resolution...

So we arrive at the dawn of a new year. It always seems to be a time of new beginnings. Or at least wishes for new beginnings. We look back wistfully, or proudly, or disappointingly and sometimes think of what could have been. We also look forward. I like to think most look forward optimistically. That the new year will bring new challenges, new opportunities, new successes. At least that's what I try to do.
I'm not huge on resolutions, but they can be fun. They can also sometimes make us think. Make us think about what we can be...what we should be...what is good for us and bad for us. Unfortunately, many resolutions (I RESOLVE to do this!) don't last long. They get forgotten in our hectic lives.

So I'm gonna try...try to state them...try to work on them...try to keep them. Maybe I won't be totally successful, but I'm going to write these down, keep them in mind, and this time next year look back. I hope it will be proudly...not wistfully or disappointingly. Here they are:

Honesty--This might be pretty difficult. We all take the easy way out on this one. We don't say what we think. Of course, it's very important to take feelings into account when giving your opinion. Sometimes you need to be sensitive to hurt feelings. But most times it's tempting to give the easy answer. To tell someone what they want to hear. To wimp out. This year I RESOLVE to be honest. You want my opinion, you're going to get my HONEST opinion. If you don't want it, don't ask for it. If you don't want to read it, leave here now. Dec 2013--I would say I was pretty successful at this resolution. Just ask my family. :) And I think it's a good one. I like to think that this trait is now something I'll continue so it comes off the list as a specific resolution.
Unsubscribe--This one will be easy. I get way too much nonsense email. I RESOLVE to unsubscribe to things I don't need/want and keep at it throughout the year. Dec 2013--Ditto here. I did a good job of unsubscribing. I still get too much spam but am pretty good at a continuously unsubscribing to the crap I don't care about. Again, I now do this pretty routinely. Don't need to think about or resolve to do it. As my wife would say, "good job, baby!"
Exercise--Need to do more of this. I'm a pretty active person. I get in the gym regularly...but not regularly enough. I get out on a bike ride regularly...but not regularly enough. You get the picture. So this year I RESOLVE to exercise on a regular basis. Wish I could say an interval or time schedule, but the reality of my life/job makes that not doable. But this time next year I'll know if I fulfilled this resolution. Dec 2013--This one was hit and miss. If you were reading my blog at the beginning of 2013 you'll know I broke my arm pretty badly on Jan 1. That put a pretty big crimp on my exercise. And when I was back in fighting shape in the late Spring, we decided to move. That also took a lot of time. So around the injuries and excuses, I think i did an okay job. One thing I did that I really like is to start going to the gym at 5:00 am to get the day started. I'll continue that. And this is definitely ONE I'LL KEEP.
Moisturize--This is another easy one (hey...I need some that are no brainers!). My doctor tells me to do it more. My wife tells me to do it more. I can look at my skin and realize I need to do it more. So this year I RESOLVE to apply moisturizer to my skin more regularly. Dec 2013--Little did I know that I would take so much crap about this one. I mean seriously, grow up people. :) I'm going to keep doing it but I'm not going to resolve to do it. I'm done with mentioning moisturizing!
Getaway Place--we (mostly me) have wanted to get a second home for a while. I think it would be great to have another place in a resort area for a getaway. And do it regularly. And do it more and more. Right now I'm focused on a condo in Mammoth. The area it all. Four seasons, lots to do (hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, golfing, festivals, and much more), pretty reasonable, close to drive to, etc, etc. But I need to do some more research. But I RESOLVE to narrow the choices, go visit the target area, and pull the trigger. Hopefully we'll have next Thanksgiving at our place in Mammoth. Stay tuned. Dec 2013--This one was a total bust. But not from the perspective of not buying a getaway place. We did the research. We visited Mammoth and other potential areas. We did a lot of soul searching. And then we stumbled on a great home to buy right here in So Cal. And we realized that if we want to getaway we'll rent, not buy. Makes way more sense for us. Plus we have a great Marriott Timeshare that is always available. It was great to write this down and take action. It really focused the effort. But it doesn't need to be repeated.
Electronic Sanity--I really like technology. I have many of the gadgets that connect me to the world. I'm all about the web. It's revolutionized our lives and mostly for the better. But lately I've become sort of disenchanted with how pervasive they can become if we let them. I've experienced people who are truly over the top. People who can't let it go. They check their devices (whatever they are) constantly, as if there is some all important message or information that needs immediate attention. It got me thinking...what did we do before these things? Did we pay more attention to each other? Were we more aware of our surroundings? Did we give each other more respect? So this year I RESOLVE to put the devices down and leave them down more often. I mean...it's just not that important. Dec 2013--Jury is still out on this one. I think I've done better. I do consciously put the devices down. But I still have a pretty strong connectivity. So I need to keep pressing. ONE I'LL KEEP.
Weight--Okay...you knew this was coming. Who doesn't go on a diet on Jan 2nd? Jan 2nd because there are just too many good things to eat while watching football on the 1st! I'm a big guy and carry it reasonably well, but could stand to lose some weight. Especially at my age, I gotta eat better. Of course, that's difficult because I like food so much! But I'm gonna try. This is one that will definitely be judged this time next year and I'll look back either proudly or disappointingly. I'll let you know. Dec 2013--I'm about where I was. The broken arm really kicked my ass. And I travelled a lot. And I was distracted by the move. And I like to eat...whine, whine, whine. Truth is, I still need to focus on this. ONE I'LL KEEP.
Try New Restaurants--Here's another easy one. I blogged a while back about going out to eat. We go out pretty routinely. But sometimes we get in a rut. Go to the same places over and over. Nothing wrong with that and nothing wrong with being loyal. But it's also cool to try new places. Literally, every time we do we enjoy ourselves. So we're going to try and explore new restaurants. But now that I think about it, maybe not so easy. If I'm going to lose weight, I better choose wisely in exploring new restaurants. :) Dec 2013--By any measure we did a great job at this. The move helped. Lots of new restaurants explored. Some real favorites found. We'll keep doing this but I don't need to focus on it.
So that's it. I usually think of a few things in my mind and then go about my business. But writing them down is helpful...and a bit scary. I mean...they are out there for all to see. At least everyone who is reading. Check back next year, same time. I'll let you know how I did.
Finally, here's a quote about the new year that I really like. Pretty simple and straightforward...and one that after all is said and done I can aspire to...
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better person.” –Benjamin Franklin

So now I need to add to the list. I mean, what fun would it be to just reference the old ones. So like last year, I have been thinking of a few things that I really should do or try. So in addition to the continuing ones above, here's the 2014 list:

Learn to play the guitar--This one sorta scares me. I'm mean, I'm an old dog. And you know the saying about old dog's and new tricks. But I've wanted to learn to play the guitar for a long time and just haven't pulled the trigger. So I'm going to get a guitar and take some lessons. I might suck. Hell, I'll most likely suck. But I'm going to do it. Dec 2014--I bought a guitar. I started some on line lessons. I learned some chords and did some plunking. But I'm not where I want to be. In 2015 I'm going to pursue this more vigorously.

Take some pottery lessons--Okay, I'll admit, maybe I've gone off the deep end here. But I remember my wife taking some wheel throwing classes in college and I went with her a few times. And it was really fun. So if I can find some classes at the local adult school that fit my schedule, I'm going to give it a try. Dec 2014--I was a miserable failure on this one. But...I'm not giving up. I will look for a class and take the class. It's just with all that's gone on in 2014 I really haven't had time or given it priority. I know...whine, whine, whine. I'm going to do this!

Get involved with a service organization--You know what they say. You're either part of the solution, or you're part of the problem. Don't know what it will be yet, but I'm going to look for some way to get involved and give back. It might involve the community. It might be veteran related. Don't know. But I'll figure it out. Dec 2014--Since I retired on 30 May I've gotten involved in several organizations. I have qualified and am active as a docent on the USS Midway Museum, I've joined VFW and attend meetings, and I'm just in the early stages of joining Rotary, which I'm really looking forward to. It's all good. I'm also much more involved with our Church and having a good time helping to grow the congregation and do good things.

Go to more cultural live events--We always like going to plays, concerts, live events. But we don't do it enough. So in 2014 I resolve that we are going to increase our involvement with the arts. Maybe get a subscription to the Globe. Maybe do the same for the Summer Pops. Maybe look at other venues more closely. It's all enriching. Dec 2014--Hmmmm...not so good. Did some things but not as many as I'd like. Still need to work on this.

Get serious about the next phase of my life--I'm coming up on a crossroads. If you've been reading you know I can see retirement on the horizon. When? Don't know but within a few years. Maybe sooner. But then what? I'm not a spring chicken, but I've got plenty of energy. I want to contribute, have fun, use some of my experience to make a difference, have fun, travel, have fun...you get the idea. As long as my health is good I'm going to be engaged. The question is doing what? More to come on that...check back next year. Dec 2014--2014 turned out to be a big transition year. I retired on 30 May. It was time. I just couldn't continue going to work when I wasn't having much fun. I'd been disappointed and frustrated too many times so it was time to hang it up. And I'm really glad I made the decision. Since retirement I've gotten involved in lots of new and interesting things, we have done some great traveling, and I have much more time to do things I want to do. It is great to control your own destiny. I have to say, retirement is a good gig!

Okay, that's enough. I've learned not to be overly ambitious in setting goals. Much better to achieve a few than have many with spotty results. Check back next year to see the results.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Cool Pic

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Dogs Are Cool!

Motivation Monday

NYPD

This was posted by a friend over on FB. Powerful! And maddening....

Police Officers

NYPD POLICE OFFICER SPEAKS OUT
The Media has received the following statement from a current NYPD Police Officer under the condition of anonymity. Please be advised the post contains strong language and profanity which though not typical of WAAR posts, we felt was important to post in a version that was unedited.

* Al Sharpton’s name is left as it was typed as NYPD officers sometimes refer to Mr. Sharpton as the Sharp ton.

When I was a kid I’d see my dad come home with his gun and shield, and I was beyond intrigued. He was not only my hero, but the city’s. I couldn’t wait to grow up and be a cop. Just like my dad and my older brother. I didn’t know what the pay or the benefits were, I just wanted to help people. Fast forward 20+ years and here I am. Except I’m no ones hero, actually I’m the enemy.

It wasn’t until I graduated the academy and went out on the street I realized, wow, where the fuck am I? Dead bodies, homicides, drugs, guns. At first it was fun. A cat and mouse game. I get the bad guy off the street and it saves the city. As the years progressed and the neighborhoods I worked in got worse, slowly that bad guy I hunted transitioned. He was no longer a guy with a gun in his baggy pants, he was me. I was hated. By every single person I encountered. No matter what I did.

There were days I’d get my ass kicked. Days I’d get murderers and rapists off the street. It didn’t matter. I was a white Irish cop, the devil. It didn’t matter I tried in vain to give CPR to a dying baby, I was still the enemy a minute later. But at the end of the day the bad guys still feared us and that’s all that mattered.

Fast forward to the liberal anti-cop movement. City councils, CCRB, Al Sharp ton. Nobody gave a fuck that every night I saw a different black man take a bullet, they just cared that it was not mine. Now I get in trouble for cursing. What? If your wrestling with a mope with a gun are you gonna curse? Are you gonna fight back? Of course cause I’m human. Suddenly though, I can’t even be human. Those rights that are demanded by these protesters, well they’re everyone’s but mine.

I swore I’d never become that cop. That old, angry, numb socially uncouth cop. Well now I make that cop look like mother Theresa. Theres only so much a person can take before they shut down. No one calls 911 for good things. It’s a daily roller coaster of bad to horrific and it never gets better.

You take this job and you know there’s a chance you can die, obviously. But you think of it as, “OK , I’m in this gun battle with a bank robber and I die in glory.” You don’t sign up for “I’m gonna be sitting in my patrol car eating lunch and get executed from behind.” Give me a chance. A chance to fight back you fuckin coward. They never had a chance. And it eats me up inside.

I’m sick over it. I didn’t know them but I know them. They’re me. I’m them. I play it over and over again in my head and it makes me sick. Yeah that heartless animal murdered them, but he didn’t act alone. The city of New York run by its disgrace of a Mayor, di Blasio murdered them too. Here’s a man who stands in front of his city and tells them he’s afraid his son will get killed by a cop, all the while he has cops guarding his son 24/7. He enticed a race war. He allows a city to protest for a criminal and chant they want dead cops. Well they got what they wanted didn’t they? Right before Christmas, 2 funerals. A husband, a father, a son.

Every single day at work I encounter real bad guys. And guess what? They know they’ve won. They know we are hesitant. That fear is gone. Now that fear is in us. I have two little kids at home. I’m gonna leave them parentless for what? A city that hates me? Condemns me? Leave my spouse a single parent for a city that spits on me? It’s not worth it anymore.

I don’t know what’s going to happen but I do know this. You can curse us, spit on us, even fight us, but the day you kill us is the day you awake a sleeping giant. We were executed. We won’t be executed again. We are in hell right now, but if you think we are gonna sit back and get murdered you’re wrong. Their blood is on di Blasios hands. He has single handily divided the city. Not just black and white but black and blue. He stands next to Sharp ton, a man who has professed his anti-white anti-Semitic rants for decades. It’s egregious. Despicable. It’s almost like I’m in a different world. When the fuck did I become the bad guy? When the fuck did they let bad guys run the city?

So I never got to become that hero like my dad. But I got to share the same uniform as 2 of them-Ramos and Liu. Remember their names. They were murdered by the city of New York. The great city that I swore to protect, that never protected us back. Their execution will live heavy in my heart forever. I’ve officially lost my faith in mankind. But I haven’t yet lost my faith in God. And as I get dressed every day and put my vest on, I say a prayer to God, “Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace, to a place where we’ll be safe.” I don’t need to be a hero anymore, I just want to go home.