My thoughts a little later

BACK UP PLANS.

Back up plans according to me are alternative paths to take when the original arrangement fizzles.
Fizzle is a nice way of saying shot to Hades. Oh I know you wanted to see me write another word, but I may be saving that for more urgent matters.
A good back up plan can get anyone out of a quandary. You have seen it on Television in the movies and on stage. Perhaps I should call it “THE WHITE HAT MOMENT”. You know what I am talking about the hero rides out on the white horse wearing a white hat and everything is better. (Word check did not like saves the day.) Birds sing, ribbons fall from the sky and the sunset is gorgeous. Yes I know that Prince Charming did not wear a white hat, but he had a white horse and sometimes wore a white jacket. So he counts.

There are times in our life that we need someone to ride in and fix the situation. As we grow older our parents cannot pick us up and kiss what we hurt and proclaim to the world “all better!”
What these times of trial really boil down to are blooming experiences. After all is settled down we usually find out that we have grown by getting through the challenge. Over the years I have found that time, meditation and prayer work wonders. These trials are not easy. Take a few friends with you to help out along the way. They just might have a white hat available.

I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER....

I was thinking about what to write and this email came. More later.
Thanks for stopping by.

Subject: Military Pay





IT NEVER STOPS





Seems like another brilliant appointment by His Royal Highness.





CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama as an Assistant Director for NATIONAL SECURITY in the Congressional Budget Office....Military Pay



This dim bulb should be fired before sunset with no government retirement. What a disgrace to our service men and women.


This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.

Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams:
I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40 after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum............ I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.

Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your open piece.


But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death your right to say it.

You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish...On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve?

A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC

SUPPORT THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless America! Travel light, leave no footprint, be silent in sight and sound. We are the guest of an ancient soul.