17May02

This is a “soapbox” entry. So read the first few lines and decide if you’re interested. I hope so but if not, hey it’s a free country.

Topic; New York Times Article “White House Calls for Response to Inquiry into Spt. 11 Warning”. (dated 17May02)

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/17/politics/17CND-BUSH.html

O.K. people, this article is about how there was intelligence reports about activities and possibilities regarding the terrorists just when 911 went down.

All this bothers me because it seems that there’s this growing tide of mistrust (could be the New York Times slant on things) toward the government. It’s important to understand a few things first before going off at the mouth about how this and that did or didn’t happen and as a result we were caught with our pants down on that fateful day.

First the questioning of our government’s reactions. See, I think alot of people out there don’t understand how difficult it is for any government to keep up and be as flexible and reactive or proactive as a terrorist group. The system that is in place to decide what to do about these groups is far too big and slow as opposed to any terrorist organization -no matter how big and complex the bad guys are. 

You can take a stop watch and literally time it. What do I mean ? well, bear with me and follow this example. Ready ? here goes.

Let’s say there’s a piece of information that makes its way to some defense outfit like the National Security Agency (NSA). Now these guys work continuously in conjunction with the CIA and all the other acronyms we have in place. The information is now in their hands

Start the stopwatch,click..

So, this information gets fed up the channell and finally manages to make it on someone’s agenda and then, in time it gets discussed and if needbe it gets moved upstairs until it is acted upon by the powers that be. rememeber,the more critical the information is the faster it’s supposed to move up the ladder to the decision makers.

Bang. Stop the clock.

Now take that time and compare that to the bad guys. They most certainly move their piece of intelligence up their ladder alot faster than we do here in America – or in most organized governments. That’s it. There’s nothing more to say about it. I’m no expert but I doubt very strongly that this theory can be so easily refuted. In fact, I am hoping that some day our government and many others like ours can be as proactive and fast and as flexible when it comes to dealing with terrorists. Until then, unfortunately, the media will always be hounding our government and second guessing why this or that didn’t happen, why we didn’t react as fast as we should have on certain pieces of intelligence etc..

This article (and specifically those who tink like this) just gets under my skin. The world of intelligence gathering is a shady world with mixed results. Results that we have to make decisions on and act or not act on. The funny part about it is that sometimes we act too fast and sometimes not fast enough. Hey, that’s just being human,people. No reason to put the government or the President on the defensive.

Now wait a minute. I’m all for the freedom to question everything-especially the government. Just keep in mind that when it comes to this Terrorism thing, it isn’t a partisan affair. Some things aren’t political or just can’t be or shouldn’t be. I don’t think that my life on this earth should be put in jeapardy due to politics (but he you never know).

I’d like to think that yes we can improve upon our way of handling this Terrorism issue but we really weren’t paying attention to that before 911. Nothing new there,right ? right. So, back up give them some support and room and lend a hand somehow in improving the way we’re dealing with this issue now that we’ve finally goten our unwanted scars from terrorism. Yes, people, we were the last ones who lacked such an unfortunate baptism (serious international terrorism scars that is). But we’re here now and I’m sure that the prez and his crew are trying their very best to effect the changes needed.

Hmmm…so how do I wrap this up ? O.k let’s close this in a letter  addressed to the media.

Dear media,

Back off, we’re learning and the guys in the gov’t are in the hotseat because they have to learn,decide and effect all of what is best for us. So, have a little faith in the gov’t and the system of intel gathering. Something tells me that they’re humans too,Americans as well as foreign nationals who work for us and they too are licking thier wounds and, under the shame and  embarrassment, are bustin’ their butts to make the system better.

End of “soapbox”

Monday 9May02,

All’s well With Carmen and me. Bought her a ticket to come up here and she did. Spent last weekend together and it was just fantastic. We really do make an awesome couple if I do say so myself-heh.

Unfortunately, her grandmother has a tumor in her colon and there’s a big possibility that she’ll have to get operated . Carmen’s whole world is her g-ma. That whole family is tight and all due to the g-ma. That’s cool but now they’re going to have to face this one together. Carmen’s clearly quite concerned but has faith in the big marine in the sky. Mee too. Wish i could do more for Carmen and her grandmother. Actually,her grandmother and I are really cool. it just was nice to hit it off with her since,as they tell me, she’s usually not easily won over by people.

I’m not one for prayer too much but lately things have happened where I gotta admit, I gotta thank the sargent major up there. He’s looked out for me and now I’m hoping…..praying that he looks out for Carmen and her family on this one. Cancer is no joke. Don’t know for sure if it is or not. Still though, a little prayer and outright down-on-my-knees is needed right here.

“C’mon Sarge…..get her through this one. It’s your call,man. She’s too valuable and has alot of life left in her. Let her spend some more time with her family…amen….er…uh…Semper Fi.”

April 9, 2002

I’m glad Carmen and I got a chance to speak when I was down there in the D. R. . We know where we stand and I’m certain that we’ll be smart about where we want to go, be it together or apart. Best part about it all is that we’re close and honest enough with each other to confide in each other without holding anything back. I hope to continue nurturing this relationship and I hope she does too. as of now, I’m pretty sure she does. But hey, nothing’s for certain in this world. Keep ya posted.

March 11, 2002

It’s been six months to the day since the World Trade Center attack. This morning there were somber ceremonies in homage to the fallen from that day – both in and out of uniform. As for me personally, I still haven’t gotten used to seeing planes fly overhead over the city quite yet. Oh, it’s nothing that wigs me out or anything. It’s just that seeing a plane and the city skyline just registers a bit more loudly in my mind than usuall. I hope it stays that way because I will never forget that day. I will never forget those other days either. The other days like the Beirut bombing of my Marine barracks or the day I lost friends over Lockerbee, Scotland on Pan Am flight 103.

Alot of people are worried about the sabre rattling between Iraq and the U.S. . There’s still the fighting in the Middle East. You know, the usuall. The Israelis and the Palestinians. We’re still kicking ass in Afganistan and still looking for Osama Bin Lauden (hoping to catch him alive -if he’s alive).

It’s a tough time these days since now the goverment has introduced the six color levels of national state of security alert.

Out of the six levels, the sixth being the highest level of alert meaning the highest probability of a terrorist attack, we’re in the middle level which is the “Yellow” level. Most interesting and this, of course, can lead to discussions forever. Right now, I just want to convey on this site what’s going on in the world today and maybe the “feel” of the people around me here in New York City.

Yesterday evening, I went to Hoboken, New Jersey and right as I got out of the train station I saw everybody looking back at where the Twin Towers once were. For the rest of the month there will be two giant beams of light streaming into the night sky . All emitting from their former location. The sight is breathtaking and peaceful in a harshly serene way. I use those words because I couldn’t help but feel that sense of loss and despair mix in with a state of closure and well….peace.

Peace, we here in New York can “relate” – especially after this event. Yet we’re so far removed from those areas where they believe in words like “peace – at all cost”.

Maybe some day we’ll all be able to achieve a state of detente much like we did with the Russians during the cold war. Something tells me that both sides did the arms race bit to appease the people and politicians moreso than for anything else. The bottom line was quite simple. WE have bombs, they have bombs. We both have enough to blow up the planet several times over. Now what was the reason again for having so many of these weapons again ?

Hmm…the point. what’s the point?. Simple. Those beams of light put alot in perspective for me. Reminded me of what the hell we’re trying to do here on this planet. I think it’s to lead a good life by living,loving and learning and sharing all that is good within us all.

Mind you, I said “I think”. Sometimes it seems like man likes this game of one step forward and two steps back. other times he has his moments of clarity.

Peace

semperfi03′s Xanga Site

3/6/02

Got home last night and found a message from my friend. He and I just saw the movie Black Hawk Down. There’s a scene early on in the movie which was reenacted,sadly enough, in the ongoing Afganistan war. Two days ago two MH-47 helos were shot at in hostile territory with one going down and all seven spec ops servicement from various military branches killed. My friend read me the article in the New York Times and it depicted exactly what the movie had shown.

This type of warefare is definitely going to be a long one with, I fear, more incidents like this and possibly more mortality among our very best forces. It’s been said time and again that this wasn’t going to be a short war . No clear beginning, middle or end.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Terrorism is all-together a totally different type of war. Forget the reasoning behind this terrorsim campaign against America. Not much matters when you have shrapnel or deadly debris flying past your head.

“The American deaths Monday occurred during two operations involving MH-47 Chinook helicopters, Rosa said. In the first, a helicopter inserting special forces was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, forcing it down. As it tried to lift off, one American fell out, Rosa said. Another helicopter retrieved the rest of the crew.

Hagenbeck said the serviceman was captured by al-Qaida fighters and then killed. He was not missed until a head count was taken after the chopper was airborne.

Pentagon officials identified him as Petty Officer 1st class Neil C. Roberts, 32, of Woodland, Calif. Roberts was based in Norfolk, Va., with a Navy SEAL unit.

Three hours later, a Chinook was trying to land forces in the same area when it was hit by machine-gun fire and a rocket-propelled grenade, Rosa said. The helicopter was forced down, and a gunbattle took place in which six U.S. soldiers were killed.

When members of that helicopter were evacuated, the body of the soldier who fell from the first was found, Rosa said.”

-source; NYTimes 3/6/02

In conclusion.

I’m determined to support our war on Terrorism. America, are you ?

28Feb02,

Hmm…must pick up the sales pace a bit more. Been slacking a bit but the leads haven’t been hot as of late. Will try to “think outside of the box”. gotta love that line. Right up there with the saying “We’ll talk about that offline”.

Well, yesterday was the Domincan Independence Day and I heard that everybody just chilled out back in the “old country”of the Dominican Republic. The streets of downtown Santo Domingo were quiet and most businesses were closed. A sunny tropical day in paradise with a day off right smack in the middle of the week. What Ai’d pay to be under that hot burning sun right about now.

Now, hmm…..speaking of now, it’s freezing outside and this just after a warm day a couple of days ago. Wacky weather here in NYC.

Onto this “skins” thing I see on the home page of XANGA.com. I’d like to give this site a facelift nhow that I have the basics down (or at least am confident enough with what I know).

Meantime, Enron is in the news, Mike Jordan is getting his knee operated on and a couple of nights ago on Larry King Live (on CNN) Senator Condit was back on t.v. getting interviewed for that scandal with having an affair with some twenty-something intern. Sound familiar ?. No, I don’t mean the Clinton affair, albeit a natural knee jerk reaction and understandably so. I mean he was at the forefront of the news just before 9/11 . Now,it would seem, that after 9/11 and the Afganistan Anti-terrorism campaign, there seems to be little news to report and so they (the press) must grab onto something…anything for those ratings.

Isn’t this whole thing being treated as candy for ratings and t.v. junkies ? O.K. I’ll stop here since I’m no Dennis Miller but I hope you all get where I’m coming from. Let’s let the investigation take it’s proper course and hopefully,without any political influence, the true answers will come to light.

Off my soapbox for now. There, I feel better now. Easy people one at a time with the pie-in-the-face routine. Thanx.

Freddy

Oh, and how’s about a little Kung fu stick figure fighting. It looks like something out of a Jackie Chan movie. Enjoy !

http://games.sohu.com/fightgame/fight3.swf

Here’s a little holiday cartoon commercial that I hope you’ll all enjoy in the spirit of Christmas  

DTMi & TCG Presents Snowbusiness

December 20, 2001,

It’s been a very slow week in sales this week. New York City has been feeding me the “call after the holidays” line since Monday. This is good in a way because I certainly don’t want to sell something at a time like this. After all,nobody is in that mode right now. Besides,there are a bunch of good leads in my pipeline for me when I return.

I’d like to wish all of my friends (North and South) and family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and joyous New Year.

Big shout out to my workmates who are really cool people to work with. Thanks amigos.

As for the rest of you out in cyberworld. Don’t forget to get away for a bit and get some fresh air in your lungs,stuff serious food down your throats and hit the egg nogg and dance floor genereously. Take some x-tra time to step back and catch your breath and give thanks for the good things you got going for you.

Oh, and yes…..I still believe in Santa.

Merry Christmas,Feliz Navidad and Prospero New Year to all

November 21,2001  NYC 1430 hrs

Day before T-giving. Business is slow. Everybody is in their cars right now and inching towards freedom via the FDR Drive or West Side Hgwy. Nice day here in NYc…cool to a bit cold and sunny.

Figure I try something on my site so I’m doing my first “New Weblog”. I wonder why they don’t call it web “entry” instead of “log”. I think of “log” as a list of time and dates with events that occured at such time and date. Not actuall specific writing s ..you know ? well..anyway, it’s cool and I can see where this can be addicting. All because it’s so easy to do. The addiction is the fact that people can read this and e-mail you back with responses and reactions. People just need people’s reactions. Especially those who have these kinds of web sites. They thrive off of peer recognition. Kinda pushes them to put up more on their site or do better.

I already have ideas as to what I want to do with this site (hobbies and interests etc..). That alone can be addicting since I would pose this to the public eye. Talk about the anticipation of feedback. But o.k. for now. First Weblog in, “yeaah baby”. Not to shabby.