What Tucson says about tea-bagger courage...

Being a liberal, I am aware that words have consequences.

So, people who call themselves conservatives and who are dear to me (there are many) may be hurt or offended or outraged by what I have to say.  And if those people feel that we must be forever estranged hereafter, I say now that I understand and that I will always hold you in my heart,  no matter what happens.

Yesterday, in Tucson, Arizona, a deranged killer opened fire at a meet-and-greet with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, killing Federal judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl, as well as 4 other people, and wounding 14 others, including the Congresswoman.

This, by any definition, is a terrorist attack.  Nor is it the first such incident that has occurred since President Obama was elected.

While conservatives up here in Portland were all aglow at the idea of publicly roasting this stupid Somali kid that dialed a cell phone, they have next to nothing to say about these incidents:

• The incident in Austin, Texas, involving a man who, in an apparent fit of despair, flew his small aircraft into an IRS building, killing himself and an IRS employee (who was also a war veteran).
  
  
• The incident, again in Pima County, Arizona, involving a home invasion by members of a "border enforcement" group, where they killed a father and his young daughter.
  
  
• The incident in Washington, DC, wherein a racist extremist penned an anti-government screed, then killed a black security guard at the Holocaust Museum.
  
  
• The incident in Powell, Tennessee, wherein a deranged killer, who wrote a screed of hate toward liberals and homosexuals and Democrats, then drove to the Unitarian Church, and went nuts with a shotgun, killing two people.
  
  
• The incident in Witchita, Kansas, wherein a deranged killer, convinced that he was acting according to God's will, walked into a church and shot dead a medical doctor.
  
  
• The incident, right here in Woodburn, Oregon, where a father and son, who fantasized about killing President Clinton, bombed a bank and killed two police officers.

Now, while our vaunted FBI is busy entrapping a foolish Muslim kid in Corvallis, guys like this Jared Loughner are publishing videos on Youtube and posting stuff on Facebook, ranting bizarre conspiracy theories.

Feel secure? Do you feel secure, tea-bagger?

Your tea-bag champions (and would-be champions) were all about cracking down on Muslims and "illegals."  Will we now hear you crying out to investigate what's out here on the Internet and in the media?  I've seen people advocate violence all over the place.  Want examples?  No problem.

• Here's what American Thinker, a right-wing favorite, had to say when the health care bill passed:  "We cannot wait until November, we cannot wait for the courts to take action, and we cannot wait for others to do the right thing.  We must do the right thing now.  We must know we are at war, and be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the good of our country."
  
  But that's just an obscure website, isn't it?  Let's get a little closer to "mainstream" media.
  
  
• Bill O'Reilly (he's on Fox News, in case you were wondering) led a campaign against the doctor who was killed in Wichita.  He broadcast the doctor's image across the cable networks, referring to the doctor as "Tiller the Baby Killer."
  
  But Bill O'Reilly is a private citizen.  He can say whatever he wants.  He's not a public official.  Okay, then, let's talk about public officials.
  
  
• GOP Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) shouted "baby-killer" during a speech by Congressman Bart Stupak on the floor of the House during the heated and ugly health care debate last year.
  
  
• Tea Party candidate for US Senate Sharron Angle has never publicly explained what she meant when she suggested that people might have to resort to "Second Amendment remedies" as a cure to the "Harry Reid problems."
  
  
• Governor Rick Perry of Texas has never fully explained what he meant when he suggested that Texas might choose, at some point if things don't change, to secede from the United States.
  
  
• Recently-elected tea-bag Florida Congressman Alan West's first choice as his chief-of-staff was a woman named Joyce Kaufman.  Ms. Kaufman publicly said, on Youtube, "If ballots don't work bullets will."
  
  
• And then, there's Sarah and her idiot cross-hairs.  (See the graphic at the top of this post.)  And her "Don't retreat!  RELOAD!" tweets.  And her husband who is a member of  an organization that supports Alaskan secession from the U.S.

There is much, much more, but let's leave it there.

You can tap-dance around it all you want. But you’re still going to have to face the music.  Watching the news today, one thing is apparent.  The Republican party is scared out of its wits, now that this thing in Tucson has happened.

This is the end for the tea-baggers. The GOP is going to abandon you now. Watch and see.

It's from the heart, people.

But, here's what I really want to say. 

It may well be that this kid down in Arizona, Jared Loughner, is a deranged nut and nothing more.  Or, it may be that there is a conspiracy.

Regardless, if you do not believe that the rhetoric that comes out of tea-bag mouths is vile and inciting, and has contributed to what happened, I can say it no more plainly than this:

You're a god-damned fool.

But there's another possibility.  Perhaps, tea-bagger, you do agree that the over-heated rhetoric has contributed to what happened in Tucson.  In that case, if you do not repudiate the violent rhetoric that comes from Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Sharron Angle and others, one must infer that, in the deepest, darkest recesses of your heart, you approve of what happened in Tucson, where the 9-year-old girl was shot dead.  And, inferring further, that means that Jared Loughner has done what you secretly hoped for, but lacked the courage to do yourself.

And that makes you a coward.

(Believe it or not, I say all of this with love in my heart.)

Any comments that are posted which contain only insults will be deleted.  Any hostile comments that do not address specific points in the post will be deleted.

Please forgive me for the self-indulgent nature of this post. 

Remembering a friend at Laurelthirst Public House

Sitting at our favorite booth in the Laurelthirst, remembering our friend Dave Kocka

On Friday night, a gaggle of old friends made our way down to the Laurelthirst Public House to remember our recently-departed friend, Dave Kocka. We shared old stories, acknowledged the tragedy of a life foreshortened, and each wished his spirit a safe journey.

It was very strange to be in a smoke-free Laurelthirst. I enjoyed it more. (And, come on, you damn hippies, you'll live longer because of it!)  The James Low Band played some great music, including a mournful first set that I felt was very mood appropriate. And, boy, they livened it up in a later set, too. If you get a chance, go see them!

James Low graciously allowed me to relate a story to the crowd (so many of whom knew Dave) between sets at the 'Thirst on Friday night and I thought I'd relate it again here as a final adieu to an old friend.

In spring of 1998, Dave and I traveled to Europe to do a short tour of London, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.  We had arrived in London's Gatwick Airport and were in the midst of the zombie shuffle through British customs when a customs agent seemed hesitant to allow Dave entry into the country.   The agent was really grilling Dave about his visit to the United Kingdom.  What were his plans?  Where would he be staying?  What was the name of the tour company with which he was traveling?

Dave had the look of a vagabond, with his long, curly, disheveled hair and beard, and his patchy, threadbare clothes, and I attributed the agent's inquiries to concern that Dave might be entering the country to take advantage of their social support system.  Eventually, although he seemed reluctant, the agent let Dave pass.

On the train into London I said, "Dave, you know, if you put on some pants without holes in the knees and wore a button-down shirt, you'd get through Customs a lot more easily."

"Maybe," Dave acknowledged.  "But if I did that, there might be someone out there, some needy person, some person living on the edge, that might be fooled by my clothes.  That person might not recognize me as a brother, as one of his family."

As I said before, Dave Kocka was a very kind soul.  Very kind indeed.

Best to all.

Dave's sister, Victoria, whom I met once years ago, called me on Friday afternoon with a special inquiry that I would like to pass on to any Portland hippies (or anyone else) who might know something about a bass guitar that once belonged to Dave. This bass guitar has special memories for Dave's father, and his family would like to find it, if at all possible.

So, if you know anything about it, please contact me at:

dadecariaga@hotmail.com
cell phone: 503.449.8834

ASL Red Barricades: Today the Volga, tomorrow the Vistula (Pt. V)

Note to readers: This post won't make a lick of sense to anyone who isn't familiar with the Advanced Squad Leader game system.

Dave Hauth and I are engaged in a playing of RBCGI:  Into the Factory.  I'm the Reds.  He's the Jerries.

We're each maintaining a blog correspondence as the game progresses.  We've a Gentleman's Agreement that neither of us will read his opponent's blog until given express permission to do so. 

Readers are encouraged to comment!  Speak your piece! Just be sure not to inadvertently reveal any information about Dave's plan to me or vice-versa. 

You can read earlier episodes of my account:

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III 
• Part IV

You can read Dave's blog here. 

Aftermath of CG Day 4

On the fourth day, the Jerries rested.

At the end of CG Day 3, the German ELR dropped from 4 to 3 which (I presume) Dave interpreted as an indication that he should take an Idle Day.  A prudent decision and I'm not really surprised.  I had even toyed with the idea of choosing an Attack chit to press him while he was down, but I didn't really have the strength to pull it off.  As it stands, we're squared off for a big fight on Day 5, which makes me nervous.  I know I'll be facing at least 2 fresh Sturm companies on the new day.

 Day 5 Perimeter

Lay on, Macduff!

One thing is sure:  coming off an Idle day, the Germans are going to throw a big punch.  Hopefully, I'm strong enough to withstand it.  My retained forces are these:

• 628 x 12
• 447 x 8.5
• 527 x 2
• 426 x 19
• 228 x 2
• 10-0, 9-1 x 3, 9-0 x 3, 7-0 x 3
• MMG x 2, Atr x 2, Lt. Mtr. x 2, DC
• 76* INF x 2 
• 80mm mortar module, pre-registered hex, scarce ammo

Dave sees this...

I am allotted 17 CPP for the day.  My purchases are these:

• A3 T-34 M41 platoon (inexperienced) 5CPP
  T-34 M41 x 3
  
  
• I3 Rifle Coy (depleted) 5CPP
  447 x 9
  HMG, Atr, Lt. Mtr.
  9-0, 8-1
  
  
• I7 Heavy Weapons platoon 6CPP
  MMG x 2, HMG, 50-cal. HMG
  82mm Mtr. x 2
  127 x 4
  228 x 2
  
  
• M2 Fortification point 1CPP
  HIP Squad
  HIP crew x 4
  HIP SMC x 3
  Trench
  Roadblock
  ? x 10

Day 5 setup

Normally, I would buy 2 infantry companies in order to make full use of my manpower advantage.  But my troops are so short of hardware after the first 3 days of fighting that I feel compelled to buy a Heavy Weapons platoon.  I need some range and firepower.

The weather for the day is overcast, so I can safely buy a T-34 platoon without worrying about Stukas.  But I had a most unfortunate roll for my armor leadership, resulting in Inexperienced crews for my tanks!  To add to my woes, my reinforcing Rifle company is depleted.  But at least the Heavy Weapons platoon is full strength.

Day 5 setup, north

In the north, I've placed two platoons of Guards SMG troops in the Chemist's Shop.  Their purpose is twofold:  1) Guard against a German attack from the northern board edge; 2) If no such attack develops, press to infiltrate the O10 factory.  The mere presence of these troops poses a threat on the German flank, so I don't think Dave can ignore them.  Thus, they serve to take pressure off other points along the front.  They're supported by a hidden HMG and 9-1 leader in over-watch position. 

I've set up my entire Heavy Weapons platoon HIP to hopefully catch some Germans at unawares as they run from cover to cover.  My 50-cal. and another 9-1 leader are hidden in the upper level of hex GG21 where they can see down the equator, but are relatively safe from attack.  The conscript on the rooftop in CC20 is there to strip HIP status from any German artillery observers on factory rooftops and to act as a spotter for the big mortar in DD19.

I've got two platoons of rifle squads and the two howitzers protecting the crucial area between the R17 and U22 factories.

Day 5 setup, south

My brave militia troops get the sad task of holding ground in the middle factories.  Tough job, and one has to imagine that not many of them will be making it to the chow line at the end of the day.  But that is where I expect the Germans will punch hardest and, in the cruel calculations of war, conscripts are easy to come by.  (Especially in Stalin's Soviet Union, eh?)  Besides, the terrain is such that their poor range will not be quite such a disadvantage.  And, they get that Fanatic bonus in the factories.

My 80mm mortar artillery is still trained on the O33 factory.  I've got a couple platoons of Guards SMG troops down there, plus an 82mm Mortar.  These units are charged with holding their ground until my reinforcing Rifle company and T-34s arrive to assist them.  Then, depending on the situation, I might try to expand my foothold in this factory.  I've got an ambush set near the T38 bridge to surprise any Germans that use Stalnaya Street to advance on my southern flank.

I'm very glad that Dave has used both of his allotted Nebelwerfer modules.  A rocket barrage today would be devastating.  As it is, I won't be surprised to see some big German artillery come raining down.  But it will be hard for his observers to get a purchase on my position.  And any radio-operating Germans on factory rooftops will soon discover my hidden machine-gun nests.

We're scheduled to play tomorrow, January 8th.  This day could be decisive either way, or it could end without either side having a clear advantage.  We'll just have to see...

To be continued...

So long, Dave

Dave Kocka, front row, second from left

I received word this morning that my friend, bandmate, and travel companion Dave Kocka passed last night as a result of organ failure.  He was 16 days short of his 43rd birthday.

The last time I saw Dave was in 2004.  He was standing on the corner of SE 34th and Hawthorne, eyes and mouth drooping in a thousand-yard-stare.  He was moseying along in that lugubrious way of his, coattails dragging, backpack hanging off one shoulder.  (He took his backpack and coat everywhere, even in the warm weather.)

My girlfriend (of the time) and I were having lunch in the pasta restaurant and so I didn't get the chance to greet him.  But we watched him walk by.  "There goes Dave," I said, pointing to him through the glass facade.

When we got home, I learned that Dave had only just left my house.  My roommate informed me that we just missed him. He had come to say goodbye; he was leaving Portland to go back to Fresno, where his family lived.

A week or so later, Dave was gone.  We never did get a face-to-face goodbye.  

Dave and I met in 1995.  He was part of the social circle that I joined in the wake of my divorce.  Just as with so many of my friendships, my friendship with Dave had its genesis in music.  Dave was a guitar-player, like me.  We started playing together just for fun at parties and social gatherings and eventually worked up to playing open mics at the Laurelthirst Public House and other similar venues around town.

Our last joint musical venture was to play a James Taylor cover at the wedding of my friends (perennial Multnomah County Sheriff candidate) Andre and Vicky Danielson in 1998.  Dave always did have a problem with stage fright and this occasion proved no exception.  On the day of the wedding, Dave "forgot" his guitar, leaving me with the challenge of doing a solo performance.  But, almost as if to atone for his lapse, Dave provided me with ample nerve-settling Jack Daniels pre-performance such that I was able to pull it off without too much trouble.

Which, of course, hints at part of Dave's darker side.  The man had a drinking problem, and I will just go ahead and say it.  The backpack that he carried everywhere with him always had a fifth of whiskey tucked away in one pocket, the which he would nip at throughout the day and well into the night.  His drinking, predictably enough led to flaky behavior.  Although he was always well-intentioned, Dave was notorious for his unreliability and utter lack of punctuality.  I broached the subject of his drinking with him on more than one occasion, but his response was always the same.  "I'm aware of the problem.  Thank you for caring."  And that was it.

Dave was a kind soul.  I will attest to that until the day that I make the journey myself.  He never turned away a hand offered in friendship, nor held anything to himself if someone was in need.   He and I had many good times together, including a trip to Europe and many hours of playing guitar and singing.  It is with shock and sadness that I receive the news of his passing.

Dave and friends at the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Dave, my friend, go with God.

112th Congress: Here come the crazy!

Today is a Big Day^tm for Tea-baggers.  Today, the 112th Congress is sworn in to office, there to fearlessly lead us into a bright new world.

Speaker Boehner has laid out an ambitious agenda for the GOP-led House of Representatives this time around:

• A vote in the House to repeal the health care reform package passed last year. Of course, the repeal, if it does manage to pass through the House, will go nowhere.  Senators Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, the two top Democrats in the Senate majority have already publicly stated they will block a repeal.  But that doesn't matter to Boehner.  He's got to worry about the tea-bag yahoos in his caucus who will blow a gasket if he doesn't go through the motions. 
  
  
• A roll back of Federal non-entitlement spending to 2008 levels, by cutting $100 billion from the budget.  At last, the Republicans will get specific on where they mean to cut spending!  Oh, but wait... Representative Paul Ryan, the GOP's new budget guy says that, now that the election is over, the $100 billion figure is no longer valid.  You see, Ryan says, the $100 billion was relative to the baseline in President Obama’s budget request. But since congress didn’t pass the president’s budget request, the pledge is now invalid.  Get it?  Don't you get it?  As Canterbury said of Henry V's claim to the throne of France:  It's "as clear as is the summer's sun."
   
• An out-loud reading of the US Constitution at the commencement of proceedings.  Get out the hankies!  Speaker Boehner, already known as a blubber baby, might get downright hysterical.

Okay, so maybe "ambitious" isn't the right word to describe the Republican agenda.  But no one can blame Boehner for trying to please the 40 or so new House members who claim to be part of the "Tea Party."  After all, they did help him win the Speaker's gavel.

The problem for Boehner is what comes next.  When you're in the majority, people expect you to govern.  And as Speaker of the House, the only way to govern is to work with the Senate and the Executive, both of which are controlled by the opposing party.

So, Big John is going to have to thread the needle:  get something accomplished without appearing to collaborate with Tea-bagger arch-enemy Barack Obama.  If he doesn't tread carefully, he could face a revolt in his own caucus.  As evidence, observe what is even now happening to long-time Republican Senator Dick Lugar as a result of helping the administration get the New START treaty passed in the lame duck session.

Being in the minority does a lot to boost caucus solidarity.  But when you're the leader of a majority that is composed of 40 or more bat-sh*t crazies, things get a lot more complicated.  We'll see...

Movie review: The Fighter

Last day of my winter vacation, I went to see David O. Russell's new flick, The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams.  I'm relatively unfamiliar with Russell's work.  I remember seeing his 1996 flick, Flirting with Disaster, which I thought was hilarious and something of a sleeper as far as critical acclaim.  But The Fighter is nothing at all like that earlier flick.

The Fighter is a gritty, streetwise tale of conflicted loyalty, disillusionment, defeat, and triumph.  It is the story of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward (Wahlberg), from the mean streets of Lowell, Massachusetts who, through grim determination and relentlessness earns a shot at the WBU welterweight championship.  Micky lives in the shadow of his older brother, Dicky Eklund (Bale), who is known as "the Pride of Lowell," because of his own boxing career.  Dicky's claim to fame is that he fought and knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard in a losing effort some years before.  Dicky is the subject of an HBO documentary which he imagines to be the story of his improbable boxing comeback, but is in fact a portrait of the ravages of crack addiction.  (Dicky, you see, has a drug problem.)  Micky, with his new-found love Charlene (Adams), must find a way to protect himself from the destructive habits of his brother, the conniving of his family, and his own self-doubts.

I came away from this flick with new-found respect for Christian Bale.  His portrayal of half-mad but irresistibly charming Dicky Eklund is nothing short of brilliant (and quite a departure from his bland interpretation of Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies).  Mark Wahlberg does a great job of emoting Micky Ward's inner conflict as he struggles in the shadow of his larger-than-life brother.  And Amy Adams is convincing as street-tough Charlene, the college drop-out bartender who still hopes for a better life.

Apart from the good acting and the inspiring story, I think The Fighter succeeds because Russell does nothing to glamorize or smooth out the rough edges of the world he portrays.  The dialog is real and gritty.  The characters seem true to life.  These are people you would actually expect to meet in a blue collar down-on-its-luck town.

So, I'll definitely be looking forward to Russell's next effort.  I might even have to have a look at some of his previous work.  This guy's got talent.

ASL Red Barricades: Today the Volga, tomorrow the Vistula (Pt. IV)

Note to readers: This post won't make a lick of sense to anyone who isn't familiar with the Advanced Squad Leader game system.

Dave Hauth and I are engaged in a playing of RBCGI:  Into the Factory.  I'm the Reds.  He's the Jerries.

We're each maintaining a blog correspondence as the game progresses.  We've a Gentleman's Agreement that neither of us will read his opponent's blog until given express permission to do so. 

Readers are encouraged to comment!  Speak your piece! Just be sure not to inadvertently reveal any information about Dave's plan to me or vice-versa. 

You can read earlier episodes of my account:

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III

You can read Dave's blog here. 

Aftermath of CG Day 3

We're not dead yet!  Although the Germans were pitiless in their assault, and they wreaked havoc on my valiant Red heroes, they paid a high price for their gains on this day. 

My position at the start of the day was so precarious that I fully expected to concede the campaign after the day's fighting.  But I had enough success in blunting the German shock troops that I'm going to keep fighting.  My situation is still precarious as the perimeter shows, but a lot of steam has come out of the German kettle.  The Germans scored 59 CVP, but the Russians scored 61! 

Day 4 Perimeter

In order to mitigate the distance his reinforcements must travel to get to the fighting, Dave purchased a Sturm company on-board for 12 CPP.  Very expensive!  But he lined them up with his armor to come smashing in to the P33 factory, where I had a platoon of Rifle squads and my depleted Guards SMG company in reserve.  It was a big clash that went my way early when I surprised Dave by opening up with the 76* INF howitzer I placed in hex R33.  I took out a leader and decimated a platoon of Sturm troops with it.  But then his armor plunged deeper into the factory, Sturm troops in their wake.  My Guards SMG company was completely activated on Turn 1.  A savage battle ensued with both sides getting mauled.  Dave's tanks did not fare nearly so well on this day.  I destroyed or immobilized 3 of them.  

Meanwhile, Dave was poised to attack southward out of the R17 factory with a depleted Sturm company, but I opened up with my 80mm artillery and another howitzer and stalled that attack before it could start.  I actually ended up counter-attacking into this factory with the SMG platoon that I had assigned to defend the Commissar's House.  This was another bloody fight, but Dave definitely got the worse end of it.  

My militia company in the Chemist's Shop also attacked into the O10 factory.  This was a low density, but nasty fight that ended with my dug-in KV destroyed as well as most of the militia, but I think I destroyed about half a company of German rifle squads, which made the attack worth it.

Day 4:  More of the same

My perimeter continues to be squeezed, and there is no doubt that I'm cornered and at bay.  But, I've earned some hard-fought breathing room around both the Chemists's Shop and Commissar's House.

My forces are devastated.  But the Germans fare no better.  They're at the point of exhaustion. 

Dave sees this...

My retained forces are these:

• 628 x 3
• 447 x 8.5
• 527 x 2
• 426 x 10
• 228 x 2
• 10-0, 9-1 x 2, 9-0 x 2, 7-0 x 2
• MMG, Atr, Lt. Mtr.
• 76* INF x 2

I am allotted 15 CPP for the day.  My purchases are these:

• I5 Militia Coy (depleted) 4CPP
  426 x 9
  MMG, Lt. Mtr.
  7-0
  
  
• I2 Guards SMG Coy 7CPP
  628 x 9
  DC
  9-1, 9-0
  
  
• O2 Btln Mortar w/Pre-registered hex Q33 (scarce ammo) 2CPP
  
  
• M2 Fortification points x 2 2CPP
  HIP Squads x 3
  Trench x 3
  Fortified buildings x  2
  AP mines x 6
  ? x 12

The reinforcing (depleted) Militia company will join the surviving Militia troops in the middle factories.  That's where they stand and die.  If the German doesn't attack in the middle, they will probe westward, but not too far.

My depleted rifle company, supported by the two surviving howitzers defend the crucial area between the R17 and R25 factories.  I've placed some trenches in the area to facilitate troop movement back and forth across Arbarovskaya Street (the north-south equator of the map).

What is left of my SMG and SMG Guards companies defend my foothold in the P33 factory and will fight to keep the Germans from entering the R27 factory from the south.  The 80mm artillery observer is set up to assist with this and is also positioned to drop smoke, should it be necessary to assist my reinforcing Guards SMG company.

That company, my reinforcing Guards, will most probably enter in the JJ33-JJ35 and join the fight for the southern factory.  But they will react to the Germans.  So, for example, if Dave enters from the northern board edge and drives for the river, these troops will enter further north to meet him.

Lastly, I've got about a platoon of infantry in the area of the Chemist's Shop.  If the Germans attack this way, my platoon will stand and die.  If the Germans again ignore the Chemist's Shop, I'll probe westward with these troops to try to draw off Germans from the attacks further south.

Day 4 setup

I've finally given the Germans a beating. We're at a critical juncture in the campaign. Will the Germans retain momentum? Or will they falter and allow the Russians to recover from the whipping they took on the first two campaign days?

To be continued...