The Colonel is dead (A fitting epitaph)

As are many others. But how would we know? The news media has been clogging the airwaves 24/7 with the death of a freak black man who wanted to be a white woman.

He wanted to be a Marine fighter pilot. The US was building up their military force, but they were not at war yet and the Navy required all its potential Navy and Marine pilots to have two years of college. So Ed started classes at Boston College.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked the Army and the Navy both dropped the college requirement and Ed applied to the Marines. His primary flight training was in Dallas and then he went to Pensacola, Florida. He was carrier qualified, which means he knew how to perform a controlled crash of his single engine fighter, onto the rolling deck of a Navy floating runway.

It took Ed almost two years to get through all the Navy flight training. His problem was he was a very good pilot and the Marines needed flight instructors. He had a great command presence and public speaking ability, which landed him in the classroom, training new baby Marine pilots. His orders to the Pacific fleet and the chance to fly combat missions off a carrier came in the spring of 1945, on the same day the Atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima . Of course his orders were changed. He never went to sea and he was out of the Marines in 1946. Ed stayed in the USMC as a reserve officer.

He became a successful personality in the new TV medium, after the war. His Marine command presence helped. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He never got to fly his fighter aircraft, but he saw his share of raw combat. He flew the Cessna O-1E Bird Dog, which is a single engine slow-moving unarmed plane. He functioned as an artillery spotter for the Marine batteries on the ground and as a forward controller for the Navy & Marine fighter / bombers who flew in on fast moving jet engines, bombed the area and were gone in seconds. Captain Ed was still circling the enemy looking for more targets, all the time taking North Korean and Chinese ground fire.

He stayed with the Marines as a reserve officer and retired in 1966 as a Colonel. The world knows Ed as Ed McMahon of the Johnny Carson, Tonight Show. One night I was watching the show when the subject of Colonel McMahon earning a number of Navy Air Medals came up. Carson, a former Navy officer, understood the significance of these medals, but McMahon shrugged it off, saying that if you flew enough combat missions they just sort of gave them to you.

McMahon flew 85 combat missions over North Korea ; he earned every one of those Air Medals. The casualty rate, for flying forward air controllers in Korea sometimes exceeded 50% of a squadron’s manpower.

McMahon was lucky to have gotten home from that war. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

When the public was spitting (taking their personal safety into their own hands) at Marines on the streets of Southern California during Vietnam , Colonel McMahon was taking Marines off the streets and into his posh Beverly Hills home. I spoke to a retired Marine aircrew member the day Colonel McMahon died and he personally remembered seeing McMahon at numerous Marine Air Bases in California in the 1960s.

He was known for going to the Navy hospitals and visiting the wounded Marines and Sailors from this country’s conflicts, even in the last years of his life. Colonel McMahon presented awards and decorations to fellow Marines and attended many a Marine ceremony and the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball.

He stayed true to his Corps as a board member of the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund and as the honorary chairman of the National Marine Corps Aviation Museum. After retiring from the Marine Reserve, one night on the Johnny Carson show, members of the California Air National Guard came on stage. Colonel McMahon was commissioned a Brigadier General in the Air Guard in front of millions of Americans who watched it happen live. You will not see anything like that on TV anymore.

The three core values of a United States Marine are: honor, courage and commitment. This is what a Marine is taught from the first day of training and this is what that Marine believes. That was Colonel Edward P. McMahon Jr. USMCR Retired. Before he was a national figure he was a true combat hero and a patriot the nation needed then and this country needs now.

Your war is over. Thank you Colonel McMahon. Semper Fi sir.

And the mighty flu rages on . . .

Erika appears to be well on the mend, and is anxiously awaiting her release from the hospital. The doctors are concerned about infection in her lower lungs, so they have her starting to exercise. She, of course, wants to come home now - - - but the doctors are saying "a few more days".

That phrase "a few more days" is so ambiguous as to be meaningless. Just how long is a few more days - - - 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6? We know that it has to be less than 7 because that would be phrased as "another week", right?

I believe that I am over the worst of my bout with this flu - - - my temperature has varied between 101.0 and 99.5 during the last 24 hours. My normal temp is 96.7. I am now able to hold down V-8 Vegetable (my all-time favorite) Juice with no problems, as well as saltine crackers.

Tried a TV dinner last night, but it came right back up. So there is probably a bit of irritation still remaining in the stomach. Hopefully that will resolve itself in the next day or two.

Had my first coffee since last Friday. Sixteen ounces. Wonderful!

Had to make an emergency run to Wal Mart last night in order to pick up a prescription. Never noticed before that a two block round trip could be so tiring, of course with all the shivering that I have been doing over the last four days due to elevated temperatures - - - my muscles have been over-worked - - and are weak as a result. Couple that with not eating a normal diet, and the result is drastically depleted strength. While I know this intellectually, it still came as quite a surprise at just how physically weak I am right now.

Mamaroo's clothes for departing the hospital are packed, and will be delivered to her this evening, so they will be ready when the doctors tell her to go.

The Akana's sent Mamaroo some very nice flowers. What a nice and thoughtful gesture. She sure appreciates them.

All I have energy for at this point. Back to bed for some sleep.

Swine Flu? I been a swine all me life!!!!!!!!!!

Still waiting for the results of Mamaroo's lab tests with regard to the presence of Swine Flu . I am now going full-bore with all the symptoms. High-grade fever, infected sinus cavity on L side of face, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Swollen Joints - - - and as if that were not enough - - - I have a long-term minute sized cavity along the gum line (on the cheek side) in the left rear bottom quadrant of my mouth that is raising all hell out of proportion to its' physical size.

I had an appointment scheduled with Dr. Steve Wilhite last Friday that I had to cancel due to Mamaroo's sudden hospitalization, and my exposure to - - - and subsequent onset of the same symptoms.

Hell of a way for us to request (and get) a vacation! I remember when a Special Request Chit (Navpers 1336/7) got the job done up the Chain of Command within a day or two without all the Mickey Mouse attached to it. I most strongly do not recommend being granted a vacation this way! It really sucks.

A few bright spots in this dark cloud, though. Tamura-san and RTL's assistance in this crisis has been invaluable - - - and their performance has been stellar at ensuring that Mamaroo and I have what we require for the "long term siege". I will have to do something very special for them both when this is all over to thank them.

When will this be over? Wish I knew and could schedule its' departure. Military (and former) guys are no strangers to countdown calendars. Wish you could put this event on one.

Spent a few hours of "uptime" working on Tamura-san's computer. I find it a bit more difficult to concentrate - - - but nothing too major. Of course, I am pacing myself about 40% slower than I would normally go - - - 60% productivity is 60% better than zero, and time is everything! Hopefully, I will have the answer that I seek sometime tomorrow. If I do, then barring another unforeseen calamity, I will get Tamura-san's repaired and decontaminated computer back to him prior to my full recovery from this flu. I will probably get a phone call telling me that it is not necessary - - - but another bright spot in this cloud is that when you are quarrantined, you can set your own pace (LOL!) with d*mn near zero interference.

I am also resting as much as I can - - - but when the body will not sleep, then a few things on the old task list just beg me to be knocked off. So I hearken to their call . . .

Not going walking with my neighborhood watch group tomorrow evening for obvious reasons. I'll see you folks again when I am certain that I cannot pass this along to you, not before.

Swine Flu? I been a swine all me life!!!!! Back in the day, some folks referred to me as an Old Sexist Pig. Now (cause they're lazy?) they just refer to me as a swine. I have absolutely zero problem with being a Sexist Pig, or Swine. In fact, I consider it a Badge of Honor.

It is when you introduce the word Old into the equation, that you risk getting yourself Jacked Up in an expeditious manner . . .

New H1N1 flu not going away

More than 1 million people in the United States may have been infected with the new H1N1 swine flu, U.S. health officials said on Friday, and infections continue to rise.

The new H1N1 influenza virus that has triggered a global pandemic is infecting people in the United States well beyond the normal period for influenza season, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters in a telephone briefing.

"The key point is this new infectious disease is not going away," Schuchat said. "In the U.S., we're still experiencing a steady increase in the number of reported cases, with 6,000 new cases reported just this week."

That represents the largest number of cases to be reported in a one-week span since the beginning of the outbreak in April.

The World Health Organization is now reporting more than 67,000 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu and some 300 deaths worldwide.

In the United States, there have been 27,717 laboratory-confirmed cases, including more than 3,000 hospitalizations and 127 deaths.

"We are estimating about a million people in the U.S. or more have gotten this virus at a time of year when people really aren't continuing to get the seasonal influenza viruses," Schuchat said.

"A big question that everybody really has is what kind of illness, hospitalization and deaths will we see when our winter flu season begins?"


'NOVEL VACCINE'
Schuchat said vaccine makers are developing H1N1 vaccine that will be tested in clinical trials over the summer.

She said the CDC has not yet decided if it will recommend people get the new shots when flu season in arrives in North America in the fall. But Schuchat said the CDC is asking state and local health departments to draw up plans for how to handle distribution of the vaccines.

"We want states to be ready to offer and administer this novel vaccine," she said, focusing especially on how to reach younger people, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions like asthma and diabetes that put them at higher risk.

At a three-day meeting in Atlanta of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC researchers said one vaccination scenario could include as many as 600 million doses.

That could place a heavy burden on cash-strapped health departments, which would likely have to distribute two doses of the new vaccine, which might be required for full immunity, in addition to the regular seasonal flu vaccination program.

Schuchat said the CDC continues to watch for changes in the virus in the Southern Hemisphere, where flu season is now in full swing.

"We have not seen any changes in the virus that are important at this point," she said.

In the United States, the new flu continues to spread, with 12 states reporting widespread flu activity, something Schuchat said was "very unusual for this time of year."

"That is just one feature that helps us to see that what we are seeing is quite different," she said.

She said flu infections are even affecting children attending camps in the Northern Hemisphere summer, with outbreaks in 34 camps in 16 states.

"Some have actually closed for the summer."

My wife has just been hospitalized for this today. She is currently on a course of I.V. Antivirals. No telling how long she will be required to remain in hospital at this point in time. We should know more by Monday. I have instructed her to turn off her personal cell phone (hopefully she complies) in order to not be disturbed by people in our building.

Should there be a real (so many of the things people in this building consider an emergency - - - aren't) emergency, then I or one of the members on the Board of Directors will just have to temporarily fill in for her.

"Miss Aloha" spreads it around

File this under the heading "There may be a small amount of justice in the world after all". This past Friday, one of the fine residents of our building was arrested by HPD for Attempted Assault in the First Degree, and Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree.

The resident whom most people in the building refer to as (rolling my eyes towards the ceiling) "Miss Aloha", assaulted another resident by throwing a brick at her on a public street. The resident who was attacked, filed formal charges.

During the course of the investigation into the incident, I personally overheard one of the plainclothes Police Officers inform the uniformed officers that "Miss Aloha" had 26 priors. Interesting.

Upon completion of the investigation, it was concluded (from several witness statements - - - and some brilliant "jigsaw puzzle building" of the broken brick used as the weapon by HPD Officers on scene - - - that "Miss Aloha" required a short term stay at the Gray Bar Hotel. She whined and cried as Honolulu's finest not only protected and served, but did so in an exemplary manner befitting true professionals.

Officer Hashimoto was the breakout star of the pack. Not only did he "grab the bull by the horns" so to speak with regards to ensuring that a very thorough initial investigation was performed, but his caring and compassionate stance towards all that he came in contact with during this incident - - - garnered him an instant fan club among the residents of our building. Way to go, Officer Hashimoto!

"Miss Aloha" has for the last two years been abusing, and probably dealing drugs from her unit here in the building. Her behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. It is very common for her to suddenly start screaming either to herself, or to another party in her home between the hours of midnight and 03:00. This occurs on average - - - three to four times weekly. Phrases such as "I want my fu*kin keys now!", "Get the f*ck out of here before I call the fu"kin cops on you!", and other such niceties are quite common.

2. She routinely breaks the side glass jalousies in her living room during her early A.M. arguments, with the broken window glass falling three stories into the garden below.

3. The video surveillance system has some great footage of her breaking into other residents cars in the lower parking garage. One event runs over five and one half hours. It occurred on a Saturday evening during dinner time. "Miss Aloha" clearly shows her face to the camera in all of its' close-up glory. She then proceeds to do a little dance (Ugh!) for the cameras prior to beginning her break-in of the vehicles. What amazes me is that over half of the buildings other residents also appear on the video - - - and yet not a single one of them either called the police, nor reported anything to the Resident Manager. Talk about clueless, or maybe scared? One person even stood there and watched her transfer stuff from another residents vehicle into her own. Amazing!

4. The clean up crew picks up quite a few of the little plastic bags that dealers use to distribute crystal methamphetamine in from directly behind her car in her parking stall on at least a twice weekly basis.

5. She routinely props open the buildings fire exit doors, which are supposed to remain secured - - - in order to let her "guests" enter the building.

6. She has threatened most of the women in the building with bodily harm. She routinely pounds on their doors in the middle of the night demanding to be let into their apartments, and accusing them of stealing from her.

7. She has a prescription for way too much Methadone. I know this for a fact, because when she throws her trash off the third floor balcony (too lazy to carry it out like the rest of us) and misses the community dumpster - - - either my wife, or myself have to go and pick up all her litter. Interesting reading material that spills out of her ripped plastic trash bags. And the location of the material when I pick it up clearly fulfills all the conditions of the Plain View Doctrine as that term is used within the Law Enforcement and Legal professions.

Today, I spent the afternoon sitting in a courtroom with the resident who was attacked with the brick last Friday evening (to provide moral support) as she told her story. Given the stress that she has been under the last few years, I must say that I was highly impressed, and very proud of the way that she carried herself during the proceedings. She came through like the Champion that she is. She told her story to the court officials very calmly.

When it was "Miss Aloha's" turn to tell her side of the story - - - the first thing that she did was to state that 'That is not the lady that I threw the brick at, she was blond - - - I don't understand why you people are doing this to me!' She then proceeded (at various points) to inform her defense attorney 'I don't like you, if you are going to do your job - - - do it right, or don't f*ckin do sh*t!' So now, in addition to her other roles as an (again rolls eyes towards ceiling) ambassador of goodwill for our community - - - she has more experience and legal knowledge than her defense attorney? Not a chance.

At one point, she stated to the Judge 'I don't agree with what you're f*ckin doing to me, but I'll sign whatever - - - just tell me what you want me to do, so it (the trial) doesn't go over to the "big" court, 'cause I'm better than those people.'

At this point, the Judge basically told her that he could not advise her how to proceed, but that she might want to listen to her defense counsel. Holy Zikes, Batman! Verbal bribery on the part of the defendant?

When I heard her say that, I was instantly reminded of the old "Last Great Act of Defiance" poster, the one where the tiny mouse (who has absolutely zero chance of escape) is giving the finger to the mighty hawk who is about to slash him to pieces with razor sharp talons. Well, what else could we expect from someone with the moral character of "Miss Aloha"? I almost could have felt sorry for her - - - almost.

I was sure glad to see the Judge punch her "Tough Shit" ticket, and send the matter over to the "big" court - - - as "Miss Aloha" so eloquently phrased it.

The victim was granted a no contact order from the court. "Miss Aloha" is out on bail until her arraignment which is scheduled for early July.

There was also another resident of our building who showed up to give the victim "moral support", however, going into any judiciary proceeding dressed in shorts, slippahs, and a t-shirt is a huge faux pas. Everyone else either showed up in Aloha Business attire, or a Business Suit. Hopefully, if he shows up for the trial - - - he will rapidly (software engineer's insider joke) get with the program. Capiche?

I am so proud of the victim for the courage she has demonstrated. "Miss Aloha's" reign of terror over our building has gone on now for just over two years. And enough is enough.

I am fortunate to live in a building that is not only a multi-generational, multi-cultural dwelling - - - but also is as close to an old Hawaii "Ohana" type living situation as one is likely to find today. We have the old Japanese and Korean Grandmothers, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, German, Filipino, Haole, etc. A real Mixed Plate.

What makes the building so special is 75% of the people living in it. They are usually willing to help you when you ask, and the great majority of them will look out for you to the extent that they are able. And some of the "old folks" are quite interesting and entertaining. I will miss seeing quite a few of these folks when I leave.

But I will certainly never miss "Miss Aloha". If, at the end of the trial - - - she gets a few years vacation in the Gray Bar Hotels this building will most likely have a farewell party for her the week after she leaves.

Stay tuned. More of this saga to come . . .

On another note, I have a videoconference beginning in a few short hours. Time to get prepped.

A conversation with Rachel Maddow

From the Charlie Rose Show. Airdate: 18 June 2009. Running Time: 25 Minutes. A conversation with Rachel Maddow of MSNBC.

Misunderstanding Military Terms

One reason the Services have trouble operating jointly is that they don't speak the same language.

For example, if you told Navy personnel to "secure a building," they would turn off the lights and lock the doors.

Army personnel would occupy the building so no one could enter.

Marines would assault the building, capture it, and defend it with suppressive fire and close combat.

The Air Force, on the other hand, would take out a three-year lease with an option to buy.

Ono Grindz: One Plus One Drive Inn

Looking for a great place to grind with a lot of variety on the menu? A place where the food is excellent, they give large portions, and the price is cheap?

Then look no further than One Plus One Drive Inn located at 2437 S. King Street across from Star Market.

I have heard rave reviews about this place from several of my local friends for the last year or so. Finally got the opportunity to try some of their food. I was not disappointed in the least, except that I waited so long to try them out.

In my opinion, L & L Drive Inn has become too commercialized over the last few years, and as a result - - - while their prices have gone up, the quality of their food (not to mention the quantity) has nearly hit rock bottom.

The Kim Chi Fried Rice that I ordered was very, very tasty.

The Kim Chi was of the Won Bok variety, so of course it was of a medium spice. It had obviously been freshly made, and allowed to ferment properly. There were also eggs, garlic, green onion, and an unidentified variety of potato mixed in with the rice which was fried to perfection. Reminded me of the fried rice that I used too eat in the bars while spending a night out on the town in Pusan . . .

I would rate it as superior, and not for the faint of mouth or stomach. Great, Tasty with a capital T stuff indeed!

Did I mention that the serving portions were generous? Let me put that statement into better perspective. Unless you are a professional Sumo Wrestler, or Michael Phelps, who requires around 10,000 calories daily in order to maintain your energy levels - - - the portions that you receive in a regular order should give you two to three complete meals. Wonderful!

The place is fairly clean, but as with quite a bit of Hawaii's infrastructure - - it is quite similar to what one would find in Subic Bay, R.P. or Co Phuket. This is not as bad as it may sound though. When I go out to eat, the only thing that I care about is the food. Fancy pictures on the wall, sexy waitresses, etc. - - - will never make up for the quality of the food being below par. I understand that for some people, the "atmosphere and ambiance" can greatly enhance the dining experience.

Screw that! A good meal is always about the food! Always, and nothing but . . .

A few photos:









One Plus One offers dine in, or Take Out. Their hours are 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. 10 AM to 8 PM on Sundays.

Their take out menu advertises as having "The best taste in Hawaii", and although that is quite a subjective
statement - - - I, for one, would be hard-pressed to dispute that claim.