Circulated by request: (Politicians' military service, or lack thereof)

Democrats:

* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
* Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
* Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army
journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
* Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.
* Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.
* John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V,
Purple Hearts.
* Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
* Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star,
Vietnam. Paraplegic from war injuries. Served in Congress.
* Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
* Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
* Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign
ribbons.
* Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze
Stars,and Soldier's Medal.
* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and
Legion of Merit.
* Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
* Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze
Star with Combat V.
* Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
* Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
* Chuck Robb: Vietnam
* Howell Heflin: Silver Star
* George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
* Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but
received #311.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
* Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
* John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and AirMedal with 18 Clusters.
* Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul
Wallenberg.


Republicans -- and these are the guys sending people to war:

* Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.
* Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
* Tom Delay: did not serve.
* Roy Blunt: did not serve.
* Bill Frist: did not serve.
* Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
* Rick Santorum: did not serve.
* Trent Lott: did not serve.
* John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
* Jeb Bush: did not serve.
* Karl Rove: did not serve.
* Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." The man who attacked Max
Cleland's patriotism.
* Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
* Vin Weber: did not serve.
* Richard Perle: did not serve.
* Douglas Feith: did not serve.
* Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
* Richard Shelby: did not serve.
* Jon! Kyl: did not serve.
* Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
* Christopher Cox: did not serve.
* Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
* Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
* George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; got
assigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running for U.S.
Senate;
failed to show up for required medical exam, disappeared from duty.
* Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non- combat role making
movies.
* B-1 Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
* Phil Gramm: did not serve.
* John McCain: Vietnam POW, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit,
Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
* John M. McHugh: did not serve.
* JC Watts: did not serve.
* Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem, " although continued in NFL for 8
years as quarterback.
* Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
* Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
* George Pataki: did not serve.
* Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
* John Engler: did not serve.
* Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
* Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.
Pundits & Preachers
* Sean Hannity: did not serve.
* Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.')
* Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.
* Michael Savage: did not serve.
* George Will: did not serve.
* Chris Matthews: did not serve.
* Paul Gigot: did not serve.
* Bill Bennett: did not serve.
* Pat Buchanan: did not serve.
* John Wayne: did not serve.
* Bill Kristol: did not serve.
* Kenneth Starr: did not serve.
* Antonin Scalia: did not serve.
* Clarence Thomas: did not serve.
* Ralph Reed: did not serve.
* Michael Medved: did not serve.
* Charlie Daniels: did not serve.
* Ted Nugent: did not serve. (He only shoots at things that don't shoot
back.)

Please keep this information circulating
--Illinois State Sen. Howard W. Carroll

BOOONNNNNNGGGGGG!

I am losing my fucking mind today!

There's this stupid event tomorrow called "Operation Clean Sweep," where a bunch of Marines get together and clean the shit out of our shoreline.

I have been designated as the photographer and journalist to get this story in our newspaper (www.newriver.usmc.mil/rotovue.htm) for the Oct. 19 issue.

Our sergeant major called today saying that we needed to send a Marine to clean as well. I have interviews today and tomorrow for two different stories that have to be done by close of business(COB) tomorrow.

As per usual, I was given the "shitty end of the stick" by my master sergeant who, despite the fact that he acts like he thinks highly of me and my work, must seriously fucking hate me. I say so because I have gotten all the shitty jobs ever since he got here.

So now, I have to take pictures, get interviews and then clean until COB tomorrow. That means I have to get three interviews done in a span of about two hours today, then stay ULTRA late writing up the story and processing the photos.

Then tomorrow I will come in EARLY go straight to "Operation Clean Sweep," take photos, gather interviews, then stow my gear and clean for the rest of the day. THEN, I have to stay ULTRA late writing that story and processing the photos.

Concerning time in the Fleet Marine force and/or on Station, I have been around longer than all but two of my fellow corporals and non-rates. So why do I get all the crap? As I said, Top must hate me. By the way, in case you're too dumb to use context clues, "Top" refers to master sergeants.

Anyway, I had to cancel plans with my girlfriend because of it, and now I am in a really shitty mood. I am losing my fucking mind.

Ever have one of those days where you just want to drop everything and put a bullet in your brain?

Current Mood: Suicidal

LJ Interests meme results

1. banana boat sunscreen:
   I love the smell of sunscreen in general, but I particularly love the smell of Banana Boat - It reminds me of home.
2. bob marley:
   If you don't recognize the impact Bob Marley had on the people of Jamaica, you're probably a moron. At one point in Marley's career there were two major political leaders trying to be elected as president. BOTH of them based their entire campaign around getting Marley's endorsement. When he refused, they both made assassination attempts. Marley was shot and hospitalized by someone hired from one of the candidates. He still refused to back either. When Marley was Marley would feed as much of Jamaica EVERY DAY as could possibly crowd into his yard. He used his riches to feed the poverty-stricken people. A statue was erected in Jamaica recently as a symbol of the freedom of black Jamaicans - It was named "Redemption Song," after one of Marleys most famous songs.
3. elliott smith:
   Elliott Smith, apart from being a fantastic writer, committed suicide by stabbing himself in the heart... TWICE! That's just hardcore! Many speculate that it was murder, but for now the official word is self-infliction.
4. fiona apple:
   "I was staring at the sky
   
   Just looking for a star
   
   To pray on or wish on or something like that
   
   I was having a sweet fix
   
   Of a daydream of a boy
   
   Whose reality I knew
   
   Was a hopeless to be had
   
   But then the dove of hope
   
   Began it's downward slope
   
   And I believe for a moment that
   
   My chances were, approaching to be grabbed
   
   But as it came down near
   
   So did a weary tear
   
   I thought it was a bird but it was just a paper bag
5. kevin smith movies:
   Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl.
   
   ALL good flicks.
6. p t anderson:
   Boogie Nights, Magnolia ... Need I say more?
7. photography:
   I love photography. It's part of my job.
8. robert frost:
   Robert Frost is a brilliant poet.
   "The road is lond and dark and deep
   
   And I have promises to keep
   
   And miles to go before I sleep
   
   And miles to go before I sleep
9. snakes:
   I have an Arizona King Snake namde Azrael. He's GORGEOUS!
10. the monkees:
    I can't help it, I LOVE the Monkees! You know? "Hey-hey we're the Monkees! People say we monkey around. But we're too busy singin' to put anybody down!

Enter your LJ user name, and 10 interests will be selected from your interest list.

Current Mood: Spastically Artistic
Current Music: Violent Femmes - UGLY

I had my promotion ceremony this morning. Myself, along with four other Marines were all promoted to lance corporal. Since I had been reduced in rank to Pfc., then re-promoted 9 months later, the other four, who are new to the Corps, fucked it all up.

They were saluting at the wrong time, marching like crap, cutting their salutes to early... It was bad. Luckily, though, it was obvious to everyone that i didn't screw any of it up.

My commanding officer spent several moments longer talking to me than the others. Mostly because he had been the officer that took my rank in the first place. He rambled on and on about how much I had surprised him and how much I had improved. He talked to me about keeping my fellow Marines in the right and all that crap I've heard a thousand times over.

I was happy to get my rank back... another 9 months and I'll be promoted again -- not a bad deal.

Current Music: Elliott Smith - Miss Misery

Been laying out pages for my newspaper all day. I have enjoyed doing so because I am getting pretty good at it. This will help me at my next duty station. I really enjoy being a journalist and I especially enjoy speaking to the public about the goings-on of New River Air Station... even though I don't do that anymore. I am getting promoted on Monday, which is nice -- more money!

I am taking leave and going to Florida from Oct. 31 to Nov. 15.

Since Nov. 19 is the Marine Corps Birthday Ball for my squadron, I will only have three days to prepare.

My Dress Blues will be ready nonetheless.

Last person who...

x. Slept in your bed: Me
x. Saw you cry: N/A (too young to recall)
x. Made you laugh: GySgt. (Retired)
x. Made you cry: N/A (too young to recall)
x. You shared a drink with: Alison
x. You went to the movies with: Alison
x. You went to the mall with: Mike
x. You went to eat with: Alison
x. Yelled at you: MSgt. Donnell
x. IMed you: Don’t know
x. Sent you an e-mail: 1st. Lt. Cruz
x. Sent you a text message: ... I don't know


Have you ever...

x. Said "I love you" and meant it? Yes
x. Gotten in a fight with your pet? Yeah – he’s an asshole
x. Wanted to tell someone something but couldn't? Yes
x. Been to California? No
x. Danced ? Yes, but I hate doing it
x. Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened the next day? Yes
x. Wished you were the opposite gender? Yes
x. Had an imaginary friend? No

EXTRA STUFF...

x. Do you do drugs? I would if I could
x. Who is your best friend? Alison and Mike
x. What are you most scared of? Failing
x. Where do you want to get married? On the beach in Florida
x. Who do you really hate? John Cranford
x. Do you drive? Yes
x. Do you have a car? Yes… but it’s temporarily out of commission
x. Do you have a job? Yes
x. Are you for world peace? No. World peace would put too many people out of work. It’s economically unsound.

Stuff

x. Have you ever cried over something someone of the opposite gender did?: No
x. Do you have a "type" of person you always go after? Only a personality type
x. Song that's stuck in your head a lot: Ice, Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice (Rob van Winkle)
x. Do you want to get married? Yes
x. Do you want kids? Yes, 3
x. Do you have a crush on someone? Yes
x. What book are you reading now? Hitchhiker’s Guide
x. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? No
x. Do you sleep with a blanket? Only UNDER one

In the last 72 hours, have you?

x. Cried: No
x. Bought something: Yes
x. Gotten sick: No
x. Sang: Yes
x. Taken a shower: Yes
x. Wanted to tell someone you loved them: Yes
x. Met someone new: No
x. Hugged someone: Yes
x. Kissed someone: Yes
x. Missed someone: Yes

I played a great game of Rounders today. For those of you who don't know, Rounders is a sport almost identicle to Baseball -- the difference is that you use a rubber dodgeball-like ball. Also, instead of only having the option to tag the base or player for an out, you can pelt them (mid-run) with the ball.

We played two games, I score four points in the first game, got nine players out and basically carried my team... to a loss! Unfortunately the other team was a little better.

We played a second after picking new teams and I scored three runs and two points. I tagged four outs and caught a fly. We won four to two.

It was a pretty good morning.

I love you Alison.

Current Mood: Pimpin'
Current Music: Smashing Pumpkins - Landslide

So my buddy/coworker Michael Angelo has been attempting to get out of the Corps because of a serious ankle injury. He has had two surgeries and lots of problems. Most of us have been hoping they'd let him go... Well, after nearly two years of trying, he's finally got his wish. Oct. 7 is his last day as an active US Marine.

I decided to have a few drinks in his honor, but I ended up getting REALLY trashed last night. BY MYSELF! It's kinda sad when there are two other people in the room and you're the only one taking shots of Rum. Straight Rum is fucking nasty, but chase it with coke and you do alright.

Originally, my plan was to get both myself and Alison REALLY drunk and have some crazy drunken sex, but I ended up getting so drunk I passed out without sex last night. I take that back -- I DID have sex last night, but that was before I started drinking.

Oh, and if ANYONE can get the reference of my subject line, I'll be impressed.

Current Mood: Drunk
Current Music: The Pixies - Alec Eiffel

My day has been mostly decent. Got all my work done before lunch so hopefully they'll let me go home early. Last night we had a field day (A.K.A., Barracks Clean-up) and I had to scrub the crap outta my room. This morning, I find out I failed the insepection and have to report for re-inspection tomorrow at 0900. Not overly early, but it's a fucking Saturday! It's crazy too: They hit me on my mirrors not being clean, my freezer not being defrosted and my shower having soap scum! The only legitimate hit was the freezer! It's a three strikes you're out situation and I should've only gotten the one. No biggie ...

My master sergeant just took me back to the barracks to check my room and said not to worry about coming in tomorrow! SWEET! Anyway, have a good one everybody.

I am having a relatively good day today. No major complaints. I had about 5 interviews for stories this morning and other than that I am just writing my ass off.

Alison and I have been doing very well lately and I can see us dating for a long time.

My friend Ray pulled his penis out in front of Alison and one of his coworkers. It was completely accidental, but pretty funny. Alison said, after seeing Ray's package, that she could understand why some lesbians are so scarred by the thought of me... "They must've only seen naked men that look like that!" I thought I was going to die laughing. Don't worry, she didn't say that in front of Ray.

I made the mistake of putting regular dish soap in Mike (Doyle)'s dishwasher this morning. There were soap suds all over his kitchen! I cleaned it up and left Mike an apology note before I left for work. I felt like a moron. It was Alison's idea and I told her that I knew you weren't supposed to use regular dish soap but couldn't remember why. She insisted it would be fine, so I blame her! :)

I haven't been home to see family in nearly a year now and am getting anxious. I have no idea when the opportunity will next present itself. "Oo-Rah Marine Corps!" lol.

Current Mood: Blah-blee Blah Blah!
Current Music: White Stripes

Ali and I had a conversation and decided to compile a list of five people that if we ever got the opportunity to sleep with, we could. Of course the list has stipulations. No one that the chance of you actually getting to sleep with is really good. Kaia Wilson for Ali is out because she lives in Raleigh and she's met her a plethora of times, and emails her back and forth. So here it is...drumroll.

1. Audrey Tautou
2. Paz Vega
3. Monica Bellucci
4. Fiona Apple
5. Lisa Bonet

Bad way to start a day. There's no possibility of this day being decent.

Current Mood: annoyed

I wasn't originally going to be able to see Ali on Friday but as things usually work out in my favor, so did this one. We had a great night, had sex, woke up in eachother's arms and had more sex.

I had to work from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, so Ali came to the office and read a book until I was done. My tour ended up going over until 3 p.m. and I felt really bad that she had to wait. Apparently, she didn't really mind.

Ali had been letting me drive her car all morning and did so again after work. Now I am nearly a pro (or at least I think so) at driving a manual transmission vehicle. I LOVE it. WAY better than an automatic.

We went back to her house and had more sex :D

That night we went out to the Barcode and had a pretty good time. This weird guy that tried to kiss me once was there. He was very nice and didn't try again. So I was pleased. Also, this JACKASS named Michael is always touching on Ali's breasts and trying to make out with her. He's supposed to be gay, but I also know he's been with women and is what Ali calls "greedy" in that he's basically bisexual.

At first it didn't get to me because Ali would tell him to stop and he mostly would. Now it's gotten to where he's testing me or something. Testing my limits. He'll kiss her on the cheeck then turn around and say something stupid like, "Don't worry Jon, this doesn't mean anything." I think I might hate him. And I might hit him. I don't like to be violent but if he does something again he'll get a pretty harsh warning. Then I'll beat him if it continues.

Sorry... moving on to a lighter note:

Ali and I had more sex Saturday night and Sunday morning. Then again Sunday afternoon. I know most of you don't care to hear all of that but this is my journal and i will write as I please.

I told her I love her. It's very true. I am painfully in love with her and it kills me. I am so very pleased she said it back.

Sunday night Ali and I watched Interview With a Vampire and that was surprisingly the first time I had seen it. I LOVED it. Louie is a bit of a panzy and Lestat is kind of a son of a bitch but you can't help but love them both. And Kirsten Dunst fucked my mind up. Ooohh....

We had sex again Sunday night but not this morning. I am okay with that though, because I am very rubbed raw so I think I need some healing time.

I had some pretty rough PT this morning and am now at work. That's my weekend.

Thanks for sticking with me through this longer-than-usual post.

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: White Stripes

Things in my life are going very well and I am afraid something will come along just to fuck it up.

A couple of guys in my office I dislike very much are slowly, but surely, flushing their would-be careers down the drain. Since I hate them so much, I am very pleased to watch them fuck everything up.

I hate Marine Corps Air Station New River and I will be leaving it for about a year starting June 27, when I go on leave. I will go home from June 27 to July 13. I have orders to MCAS Cherry Point for July 15, and then in August, I go to Iraq for seven months!

Ever since I found out about my upcoming deployment, everyone who has gone before was giving me lots of advice. The biggest one was since I am not married and wasn't in a serious relationship of any kind, was to not allow myself to become involved with anyone. Especially not seriously involved. That seemed to me to be a great idea, so I was trying to have a good time, but never date anyone exclusively.

I went on many dates, most women just once, nothing serious. Then there was Jessica. That date (which is actually a bit of a misnomer considering it was just a hang-out thing) changed it all. She had her friend, ALISON, drive with her to pick me up and, while I hated Ali at first, it wasn't long before my mind was drowning in a pool of infatuation.

Now Ali and I have been seeing eachother exclusively for about 3 weeks and I am CRAZY about her. Three weeks is not very long, but she just does it for me. I have slept in her bed with her and it's the best sleep I've ever had. I spent the night with her las night and woke up feeling awesome. She enjoys pleasing me just as much as I enjoy pleasing her... I can't find anything wrong with her. Which is strange for me. Usually I send them packing after only a week. Most women just don't fit the mold, you know? But Ali does. My feelings for her increase every day and that scares the shit out of me.

I guess this extensive rambling can end now... I've gone on long enough.

Current Mood: contemplative

You're a sporty tom boy. That's not a bad thing.
You're friendly, competitive, athletic, and you
love to have fun. You attract a lot of guy
friends and make many girls jealous. Don't pay
attention to them. A lot of boys might think
you are aggressive and might be intimidated.
Don't worry, show them the other side of you
that makes people so attracted to your fun
personality. You also are a profectionist. You
have to be good at everything. But please don't
stress yourself out. You're just fine the way
you are.


What kind of girl are you? (with pix!)
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Tramp Bear


Which Dysfunctional Care Bear Are You?
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Current Mood: Punctual
Current Music: White Stripes "De Stijl"