F-16 Deadstick Landing..

This is an old video..  I believe it dates back to 1996.  But, that does not reduce the tension.  If you are a pilot... this will have your heart beating.   The video is hosted at a good site named "Patrick's Aviation"  See THIS LINK

Good Video of US AIR 1549 -- Including Landing

Here is good video from a USCG camera showing the water landing and the ferry boat rescue activity.  The landing video is brief and the camera is on wife focus at that point, but it didn't take long for someone to get the picture.  

Let's hear it for the ferry boat captains too!  They boldly motored in to get those people off when they had only a cursory view of the situation.  No woosie bureaucrats there!  

A grand speech. Well done. Bet he is glad to get out of there!

The USAF "Band"

I know that "military music" is considered an oxymoron, but, in fact,  only uninformed morons think that.  In the mid 1980s I was stationed in Washington DC and my wife and I had the immense pleasure of hearing the USAF Band and the Singing Sergeants perform many times.  I even hired the some of the Singing Sergeants in their off-duty time to entertain guests at some parties.  They are superb people and musicians.  

Here is some proof.  

THIS LINK will take you to some of the newest songs written and performed by the USAF Band. 

THIS LINK will take you to video of the USAF Band practicing suffering.  ...getting ready for the inauguration ceremonies..  

Blackfive re-posted a 2004 story. If you read it without crying, you are..not much. In these times, we need to have this perspective. http://ping.fm/3Gkjj

Just posted my video review of "Final Theory" an excellent adventure/science book based on Einstein's work. http://ping.fm/yGYZ7

Thoughts on Panetta for CIA

I am a pretty strong conservative and no fan of the Democrats, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the Obama appointments, with the notable exception of the Attorney General, and I think the negative commentary about Panetta at the CIA is uninformed and just plain silly. 

If I was in the Agency right now, I would be thrilled that the new boss understands and is connected to the levers of power inside the Beltway.  I would NOT want some "Intelligence Professional" at the top.  I want someone who can call the legislators on the Intelligence Committees and the Appropriations Committees by their first names and who knows the names of all of their kids.  That's Panetta. 

The job of CIA Director is more about getting money and forgiveness than it is about issuing analysis. There are card-carrying certified Intelligence Analysts for that.  There are plenty of bright Agency folks who can sit at the Director's shoulder and whisper Intelligence things in his ear.  People who can successfully navigate the Beltway are much more rare.  

As far as comments about Panetta being a human rights type?  He is certainly more of a realist than he is being painted and ...by the way... they did win.  They get to play their agendas.  Save your outrage for stuff that matters.  There will be plenty of it.  

Posted my video book review of "Stranger to the Ground" a great flying story.http://ping.fm/pJ07X

Just posted my video review of "Flight of Passage" a great pilot's book. http://ping.fm/jeiyv

A Call from the Nice Man at Government Healthcare

Wonder about the spin-off impact of government funded and controlled health care? It's pretty clear. Just like the power to tax, the power to control medical services must inevitably lead to control of other items on the agenda.

Here is the phone call I expect to receive from a Faceless Bureaucrat (FB in the dialogue below) quite soon.

FB: Hello, Mr. Deffler?

ME: It's Derfler

FB: Mr. Doorfler, my name is Mr. Putz and I'm from the Department of National Healthcare. I would like to ask you a few questions.

ME: Okaaay.. I guess

FB: We have all of your personal information, but I need to check on a few items for our files that popped up on a routine review.

ME: Hmmmmm

FB: You have listed a daughter, age 12, as a dependant for healthcare purposes?

ME: Okay....

FB: We do not have a record of her vaccinations from your local school district.

ME: She doesn't go to public school.

FB: Oh.. well, if you will give me the name of her private school, we can check those records.

ME: She is home schooled. We feel that at this time she is learning more in home schooling than she would in the public schools and we can't really afford private school.

FB: Ah... well... you see, Sir, if she is not attending a school, then we can not be sure that she is receiving appropriate healthcare, can we? You can teach her at home, but we can't provide health care. I'll pass that to the review committee to deal with.

ME: You do that..

FB: There were just one or two more things. I see that you have a concealed weapons permit. Does that mean you own guns?

ME: It might.

FB: Well, you see, the right to own guns is, more or less I guess, mentioned in the Constitution, but the policy now is that you are not eligible to government healtcare if you decide to own guns. After all, guns injure people and that would raise the cost of healthcare to all tax payers wouldn't it? I'll show you as owning guns and I'm afraid that healthcare coverage will immediately cease for everyone in your household. If you would like to change your status, you can download a form from our Website, certify that you are gun-free, and your healthcare coverage will resume within a couple of weeks.

ME: But, but, that's unconstitutional. The second Amendment....

FB: Oh, Sir, you can have your guns. Certainly, you can have guns, but no healthcare. There is, after all, no constitutional right to healthcare, is there?

FB: Let's see... there was one more item... according to your tax return, your occupation is online journalist. Is that like a ... what are they called? Blogger?

ME: Yes, in fact, it is like that.

FB: Ah, that is considered a high risk occupation. I'm afraid that Government Healthcare doesn't cover people in high risk occupations.

ME: What do you mean, high risk? It's just words...

FB: Ah yes, Sir, but words have meaning. Someone could take offence and harm you. That would raise the cost of healthcare to everyone. That would be unfair.

ME: But the First Amendment... freedom of speech.

FB: Oh, Sir, again you do not understand. You may say anything you like. That is your right. But, the government doesn't have to cover your healthcare if you choose to say controversial things. It would not be fair? Would it?

FB: Well, Sir, that about covers it. As I said, if you want to change your status, then simply download an affidavit, swear to change your ways, and we will reconsider your status. You have a nice day.

Hoppin John, grilled pork chops, and corn muffins for my New Year's supper.If you don't understand that, then I'm sorry fer ya.