Steve in Iraq

As mentioned in a previous post, Steve Tomasko is a friend of mine that just got back from Iraq. Here's a picture of him using night vision - the same stuff we use at the PD.

Deadburb - Where Beaver Cleaver meets The Stand (a re-run)

(This is an entry from a couple of years ago, but since : a) I thought that it was pretty good, and b) It's the only entry to generate 2 comments from outside people, I though that I would run it again.)

More stuff from Lileks. Actually, a pretty sad commentary. Richfield seems to have it's share of this type of thing. I remember when an 8 square block neighborhood was bought out for runway expansion at 28th Ave. and 66th St. - I think that it was around 1995. I used to drive through that neighborhood when I worked at Page Airways in the late 70's, making runs to Beek's Pizza. I drove through it about three nights before the bulldozers went through....it gave me the heeby jeebies.

Support our Troops

During the Second World War, my mother told me that every person in the United States knew of someone or was somehow involved with someone who had actually fought overseas. I'm beginning to see that now - everyone has a friend or relative that is or has been in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Last Friday evening, I went to a homecoming party for Steve Tomasko. Steve is a Reserve Officer with my department, who joined the National Guard and was deployed in Iraq for 15 months. It was great to have him home. Steve is a young guy, but I have seen a great deal of growing up with him. He is planning on going into Law Enforcement.

A few years ago, One of my officers - Corby Kohler - wanted to talk to me. Corby was in the also in the National Guard, and was quickly becoming one of thier premiere helicopter jocks. He had just gotten back from Blackhawk school. He came to me with a troubled soul. He told me that the Army had offered him a very lucrative full time position. He wasn't sure if he wanted to leave - he really enjoyed being a cop. We went over a lot of stuff. He eventually took the position. Captain Kohler is currently in Iraq.

While listening to the radio, I listened to a story about an organization called Operation Minnesota Nice. Thier mission is to give names of deployed soldiers to people so that the soldier could get a package, letter or email once in awhile. I signed up and drew the name of a soldier in Iraq - whose name I won't give because I haven't cleared it with him yet. I have sent a couple of packages and had a lot of email exchanges with him. To say that this young man is one of the most clear thinking people that I have ever known is an understatement. We are truly blessed to have such outstanding people willing to keep our asses out of the sling.

The aforementioned soldier told me that he knows of fellow soldiers that have been spat upon when they wore thier uniform at home. Honest to God, if ANY asshole did that in front of me, he would be eating soft foods until next Easter. I don't give a crap about what you think about the war, but you had damn well better be grateful to these young people that are willing to do what they do.

Taser Follies

One of the things that I have embarked on this past year is my certification as a Taser instructor. Our department decided to issue officers these great tools. I personally have been zapped twice, and I can tell you that it's not fun. The guy in the video tells the story in a most eloquent fashion.

I'm back

Yes, it has been a long time since I've added to this. Time to resume - A lot of shit has passed through the goose, and I'll have to update with a long future post.