June 2008 Archives
He writes the "Ask The Pilot" column for Salon.com. It's probably the most informative on-going column on their site. In this week's column, Smith makes a very profound statement:
Hear him, hear him! This is so true. Customer Service 101, something most airlines flunk.
Travelers don't want to be coddled, but they do want dignity, efficiency and a modicum of comfort.
Hear him, hear him! This is so true. Customer Service 101, something most airlines flunk.
Hopefully Amy learns to put the pipe down:
My mosm died of emphysema. She was a 2-pack-a-day smoker. It's not a pleasant way to go...Singer Amy Winehouse has the lung disease emphysema, possibly caused by smoking crack cocaine and cigarettes, her father has said.
Mitch Winehouse told the Sunday Mirror his daughter has early stage emphysema and an irregular heartbeat.
"Doctors have told her if she goes back to smoking drugs, it won't just ruin her voice, it will kill her," he said.
So, I'm sitting in the bar at the Hotel Zaltbommel in the Netherlands, and it's Justin's 20th birthday. It's not the first birthday of his I've been away for, but I feel like this is a milestone. If he's been around for 20 years, that means I've been a dad for as much time. It's been a pretty fun ride, and I'm sort of sad I'm not there to take him to lunch and share the moment.
But like the good absentee dad I am I picked him up something he'll enjoy, a footie shirt. The Dutch are doing well in Euro Cup 2008, Justin likes them, mainly because the captain for the Dutch, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_saar">Edwin van der Sar</a>, plays for Manchester United, his club, as goalie. So, he'll have his red MUFC shirt and an orange Dutch national shirt to wear around school next year. Still, I miss being home.
I've been through a lot with that kid, and he still manages to amaze me. As y'all know, he's a Nuclear Engineering major at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He amazed me in high school when he came through being part of the "storm class of 2006." He spent the first semester of his senior year sleeping on the floor of a friend's rented house in Baton Rouge, so he could go to his school's satellite campus up there. He got a lot of advanced placement and struggled with calculus a bit but pulled himself through.
There was the day he called me from Atlanta and asked if I thought he should read <u>Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire</u> or Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. (I voted for Shirer and he agreed.) I gave him control of the family's Netflix queue for the summer and got a notice yesterday that he ordered "Ben Hur," this after ordering up 5-6 other Academy Award willing films. He's that kind of person, wants to understand what made something in the past so great.
He's been working at the Waterford 3 nuclear power plant up the river as an engineering intern this summer. It's given him some solid work experience, pushing the student out into the real world a bit. Some of his reactions to that real world have been interesting to observe. He wants me to teach him how to cook more for himself, so he can be more independent of the dining hall this coming school year.
Thing is, he's not the type to sit at the computer and e-mail or IM. He'll talk on the phone, but he also knows that I'm roaming at a fairly steep price while in Europe, so he won't call. We have great face-to-face conversations, just like I do with little brother, but I'm not there for them right now. That makes me sad, even though I'll be in Amsterdam tomorrow. Even if I find something cool there to bring him back, it's not the same, today's a missed opportunity. He'll be a day older tomorrow.
Dayum, I'm so proud of him.
Happy Birthday, kiddo. You've grown up into quite the exceptional young man. Next year, we'll do Vegas for your 21st. :-)
But like the good absentee dad I am I picked him up something he'll enjoy, a footie shirt. The Dutch are doing well in Euro Cup 2008, Justin likes them, mainly because the captain for the Dutch, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_saar">Edwin van der Sar</a>, plays for Manchester United, his club, as goalie. So, he'll have his red MUFC shirt and an orange Dutch national shirt to wear around school next year. Still, I miss being home.
I've been through a lot with that kid, and he still manages to amaze me. As y'all know, he's a Nuclear Engineering major at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He amazed me in high school when he came through being part of the "storm class of 2006." He spent the first semester of his senior year sleeping on the floor of a friend's rented house in Baton Rouge, so he could go to his school's satellite campus up there. He got a lot of advanced placement and struggled with calculus a bit but pulled himself through.
There was the day he called me from Atlanta and asked if I thought he should read <u>Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire</u> or Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. (I voted for Shirer and he agreed.) I gave him control of the family's Netflix queue for the summer and got a notice yesterday that he ordered "Ben Hur," this after ordering up 5-6 other Academy Award willing films. He's that kind of person, wants to understand what made something in the past so great.
He's been working at the Waterford 3 nuclear power plant up the river as an engineering intern this summer. It's given him some solid work experience, pushing the student out into the real world a bit. Some of his reactions to that real world have been interesting to observe. He wants me to teach him how to cook more for himself, so he can be more independent of the dining hall this coming school year.
Thing is, he's not the type to sit at the computer and e-mail or IM. He'll talk on the phone, but he also knows that I'm roaming at a fairly steep price while in Europe, so he won't call. We have great face-to-face conversations, just like I do with little brother, but I'm not there for them right now. That makes me sad, even though I'll be in Amsterdam tomorrow. Even if I find something cool there to bring him back, it's not the same, today's a missed opportunity. He'll be a day older tomorrow.
Dayum, I'm so proud of him.
Happy Birthday, kiddo. You've grown up into quite the exceptional young man. Next year, we'll do Vegas for your 21st. :-)
back in the days of the old New Orleans e-mail list, I did a bunch of "top ten" lists, starting with this one. It's long since time for an update.
Top Ten Things To Do In New Orleans
1. Take a Walking Tour of the French Quarter
The French Quarter is the original city, and the cradle of our history and culture. You can't even begin to understand New orleans until you understand the Quarter. The New Orleans CVB has a brochure for a walking tour that you can download (PDF). The National Park Service also has put together several "Jazz Walking Tours," and two of those cover stuff in Da Quarters. Additionally, the Friends of the Cabildo do walking tours (for a fee) that are excellent.
Keep in mind that it's awfully hot and humid here in the summertime, so get an early start on any walking tours you do.
2. Ride the St. Charles Streetcar to the end of the line and back.
The St. Charles streetcar line is the oldest continuously-operating line in the country. It's a great way to get to other Uptown destinations (Garden District, Riverbend, Carrollton), but the ride is a to-do item in and of itself. Board the streetcar at St. Charles and Common, one block up from Canal St. As of this writing (12-Jun), the line is still only running to St. Charles and Carrollton, but it will return to its full 5.5-mile run from Canal St. to S. Claiborne Ave. on 22-Jun.
Once you've seen the Quarter up close, the streetcar is the best way to appreciate the "American" neighborhoods of Faubourg St. Marie (the CBD/Warehouse District), Lower Garden District, Garden District, Faubourg Bouligny, University District, Riverbend, and Carrollton. Check the schedule here.
3. Take a riverboat cruise.
New Orleans wouldn't exist were it not for the Mississippi River. It's important to see the city from the perspective of the generations of people who arrived here by water. The Steamboat Natchez is an authentic paddlewheeler that does both lunch and dinner cruises.
4. Explore the Cemeteries
The best way to explore our cemeteries is to ride the Canal streetcar line from downtown to the end of the line at City Park Avenue, known as the "Cemeteries Terminal." Walk through Cypress Grove, Greenwood, then walk under the I-10 overpass to Metairie Cemetery. See Cities of the Dead (dot net) for more information and details.
5. Spend an afternoon at the Aquarium of the Americas.
This is a great thing to do one afternoon when we're caught in one of our typical summer thunderstorms, or when it's just too hot to be outside. The Aquarium of the Americas is one of the best in the country.
6. Eat a classic lunch or dinner at an "old line" New Orleans Creole restaurant.
Galatoire's, Antoine's, Commander's Palace, or Arnaud's are good choices for this. Even if you're on a budget, go to one of these for lunch and don't drink alcohol, and your wallet won't be damaged severely. You need to understand that we "live to eat" in New Orleans where all too many others "eat to live."
7. Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art
NOMA has a great permanent collection, and the various special exhibits that come in and out are often stimulating and challenging. Ride the Canal Streetcar's "Carrollton Spur" to Beauregard Circle at City Park to enhance the experience with a streetcar ride.
8. Sample some Live Music
Check Offbeat Magazine's club listings for who's playing when you're in town. Pick a club that's hosting music to your liking and go!
9. Bourbon Street at night
Even if you aren't into strip clubs and jazz music, you've got to walk the blocks of Bourbon from Canal St. to St. Ann to understand why they call New Orleans "the city that care forgot."
10. Ride the ferry across the river to Mardi Gras World.
If you've never experienced Carnival, Fat Tuesday, and parades, Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is the best way to understand a small fraction of why Mardi Gras is the biggest event in New Orleans.
That's my ten. Feel free to chime in with your picks in comments.
Top Ten Things To Do In New Orleans
1. Take a Walking Tour of the French Quarter
The French Quarter is the original city, and the cradle of our history and culture. You can't even begin to understand New orleans until you understand the Quarter. The New Orleans CVB has a brochure for a walking tour that you can download (PDF). The National Park Service also has put together several "Jazz Walking Tours," and two of those cover stuff in Da Quarters. Additionally, the Friends of the Cabildo do walking tours (for a fee) that are excellent.
Keep in mind that it's awfully hot and humid here in the summertime, so get an early start on any walking tours you do.
2. Ride the St. Charles Streetcar to the end of the line and back.
The St. Charles streetcar line is the oldest continuously-operating line in the country. It's a great way to get to other Uptown destinations (Garden District, Riverbend, Carrollton), but the ride is a to-do item in and of itself. Board the streetcar at St. Charles and Common, one block up from Canal St. As of this writing (12-Jun), the line is still only running to St. Charles and Carrollton, but it will return to its full 5.5-mile run from Canal St. to S. Claiborne Ave. on 22-Jun.
Once you've seen the Quarter up close, the streetcar is the best way to appreciate the "American" neighborhoods of Faubourg St. Marie (the CBD/Warehouse District), Lower Garden District, Garden District, Faubourg Bouligny, University District, Riverbend, and Carrollton. Check the schedule here.
3. Take a riverboat cruise.
New Orleans wouldn't exist were it not for the Mississippi River. It's important to see the city from the perspective of the generations of people who arrived here by water. The Steamboat Natchez is an authentic paddlewheeler that does both lunch and dinner cruises.
4. Explore the Cemeteries
The best way to explore our cemeteries is to ride the Canal streetcar line from downtown to the end of the line at City Park Avenue, known as the "Cemeteries Terminal." Walk through Cypress Grove, Greenwood, then walk under the I-10 overpass to Metairie Cemetery. See Cities of the Dead (dot net) for more information and details.
5. Spend an afternoon at the Aquarium of the Americas.
This is a great thing to do one afternoon when we're caught in one of our typical summer thunderstorms, or when it's just too hot to be outside. The Aquarium of the Americas is one of the best in the country.
6. Eat a classic lunch or dinner at an "old line" New Orleans Creole restaurant.
Galatoire's, Antoine's, Commander's Palace, or Arnaud's are good choices for this. Even if you're on a budget, go to one of these for lunch and don't drink alcohol, and your wallet won't be damaged severely. You need to understand that we "live to eat" in New Orleans where all too many others "eat to live."
7. Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art
NOMA has a great permanent collection, and the various special exhibits that come in and out are often stimulating and challenging. Ride the Canal Streetcar's "Carrollton Spur" to Beauregard Circle at City Park to enhance the experience with a streetcar ride.
8. Sample some Live Music
Check Offbeat Magazine's club listings for who's playing when you're in town. Pick a club that's hosting music to your liking and go!
9. Bourbon Street at night
Even if you aren't into strip clubs and jazz music, you've got to walk the blocks of Bourbon from Canal St. to St. Ann to understand why they call New Orleans "the city that care forgot."
10. Ride the ferry across the river to Mardi Gras World.
If you've never experienced Carnival, Fat Tuesday, and parades, Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is the best way to understand a small fraction of why Mardi Gras is the biggest event in New Orleans.
That's my ten. Feel free to chime in with your picks in comments.
If we want the price of crude oil to go down, we need to do two things:
First, we need to end the war and get Iraqi production back on track.
Second, we need to stop this shit:
We're playing footsie with the people who are not only responsible for breeding the 9/11 terrorists, but also are now picking our pockets. Want to get the price of oil down? Make the Saudis increase their production. That will push prices down immediately.
We need to make it worth their while to do so. How to do that? Cut off their visas to the US. No more playing in NYC, L.A., etc. No more sending their kids to American universities. Hit the House of Saud where it will actually impact their lifestyle, they'll come around.
The trick is, the Bush Crime Family has been in bed with the Saudis for two generations. (Prescott was in bed with the Nazis before that, of course).
First, we need to end the war and get Iraqi production back on track.
Second, we need to stop this shit:
We're playing footsie with the people who are not only responsible for breeding the 9/11 terrorists, but also are now picking our pockets. Want to get the price of oil down? Make the Saudis increase their production. That will push prices down immediately.
We need to make it worth their while to do so. How to do that? Cut off their visas to the US. No more playing in NYC, L.A., etc. No more sending their kids to American universities. Hit the House of Saud where it will actually impact their lifestyle, they'll come around.
The trick is, the Bush Crime Family has been in bed with the Saudis for two generations. (Prescott was in bed with the Nazis before that, of course).
It was such a nasty injury that it's good his rehab is going well:
Arsenal striker Eduardo could be involved in pre-season training after making good progress in his recovery from a career-threatening injury.
The 25-year-old suffered a fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle after a tackle by Birmingham's Martin Taylor in February.
Arsenal physiotherapist Gary Lewin said: "Hopefully, he will be back doing training during pre-season.
This was one of those tackles where just watching it hurt. Like back when Joe Theisman broke his leg playing for the Washington Redskins.
Go Gooners!
Another reason why living across the lake is where it's at:
17 years on child pornography, and he plead out? I guess he didn't have anything to offer Letten's office.
A 60-year-old Slidell man employed as an offshore oil engineer was sentenced Wednesday to more than 17 years in prison after authorities discovered about 50,000 child-porn images in his home, including several photographs that he himself took of three young boys in his neighborhood.
17 years on child pornography, and he plead out? I guess he didn't have anything to offer Letten's office.
Another in our continuing series on why bailing from the Jefferson-Orleans-St. Bernard tri-parish region for St. Tammany Parish across the lake is safer and better for your family. Sometimes:
This guy's definitely a Darwin-award runner-up. Allegedly this guy molested the 11-year old while her sisters slept in the same room.
He's almost as dumb as these guys the Kenner Police Department keep catching who think they're chatting up 14-year old girls online in "to catch a predator" style.
DumbDumbDumb
A Slidell man accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl who stayed at
his home during Carnival turned himself in to police Friday,
authorities said.Joseph W. Bayona, 47, 701 Magnolia St., Slidell,
was booked with molestation of a juvenile at the St. Tammany Parish
Jail in Covington .
This guy's definitely a Darwin-award runner-up. Allegedly this guy molested the 11-year old while her sisters slept in the same room.
He's almost as dumb as these guys the Kenner Police Department keep catching who think they're chatting up 14-year old girls online in "to catch a predator" style.
DumbDumbDumb
Listening to BBC Radio 5 Live's broadcast of the Romania-France match in the Euro Cup tournament. The match is being held in Zurich. During a break, the commentators were discussing some of the drama off the pitch that always occurs at an international tournament. Euro 08 is important to the players, but the big money is at the club competition level, of course. There's a bit of a flap currently over Real Madrid's pursuit of MUFC midfielder Christiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
In discussing the subject, one of the commentators recounted a conversation from the night before, petting the stage with, "So, we were in a bar, in Zurich..."
Can you imagine the fireworks if someone for CBS or FOX mentioned a barroom conversation during a NFL broadcast? We Americans are such Puritans.
In discussing the subject, one of the commentators recounted a conversation from the night before, petting the stage with, "So, we were in a bar, in Zurich..."
Can you imagine the fireworks if someone for CBS or FOX mentioned a barroom conversation during a NFL broadcast? We Americans are such Puritans.
I've entered the Freelance Writing Journal contest. They're looking for a new blogger. You can read my "application" for the gig here.
Yes, I know he's a war hero.
That doesn't alter the fact that he's a liar.
Heros break our hearts. It's a fact of life. Generations of LSU fans went out to trick-or-treat on Halloween night after watching Billy Cannon's run replayed on Da News. Boys all over Louisiana wanted to grow up and win the big game against Ole Miss just like he did on Halloween, 1959.
When Billy Cannon was sent to federal prison for his involvement in a counterfeit ring in 1983, many a man not so young anymore had his heart broken. Still, Cannon was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame this year, recognizing his incredible career at LSU, decades before he became a criminal.
It's important to recognize the Two John McCains in the same way we acknowledge the two Billy Cannons. John McCain the ex-POW and retired Naval officer deserves our respect. John McCain the politician, on the other hand deserves nothing but our contempt.
On June 4, 2008, McCain was asked about his voting record with respect to the storm. When confronted with the fact that he had twice voted against the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the government response to the storm, he denied it:
It's one thing to try to obfuscate one's voting record as a politician. They all pull that stunt at one time or another. It's another altogether to come to New Orleans and lie to us.
McCain made the mistake of lying to New Orleanians on a storm-related issue four days into the current hurricane season, a season whose start has been marked by numerous lies told to us by the US Army Corps of Engineers about the integrity of the very floodwalls that fell apart in 2005.
Not only is McCain a liar, he's a stupid one at that.
Respect John McCain the war hero.
Reject John McCain the liar.
That doesn't alter the fact that he's a liar.
Heros break our hearts. It's a fact of life. Generations of LSU fans went out to trick-or-treat on Halloween night after watching Billy Cannon's run replayed on Da News. Boys all over Louisiana wanted to grow up and win the big game against Ole Miss just like he did on Halloween, 1959.
When Billy Cannon was sent to federal prison for his involvement in a counterfeit ring in 1983, many a man not so young anymore had his heart broken. Still, Cannon was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame this year, recognizing his incredible career at LSU, decades before he became a criminal.
It's important to recognize the Two John McCains in the same way we acknowledge the two Billy Cannons. John McCain the ex-POW and retired Naval officer deserves our respect. John McCain the politician, on the other hand deserves nothing but our contempt.
On June 4, 2008, McCain was asked about his voting record with respect to the storm. When confronted with the fact that he had twice voted against the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the government response to the storm, he denied it:
McCain: I've supported every investigation and ways of finding out what caused the tragedy. I've been here to New Orleans. I've met with people on the ground. I've met with the governor. I'm not familiar with exactly what you said, but I've been as active as anybody in efforts to restore the city.The truth is a different tale:
McCain actually voted twice, in 2005 and 2006, to defeat a Democratic amendment that would have set up an independent commission along the lines of the 9/11 Commission. At the time of the second vote, members of both parties were complaining that the White House was refusing requests by Senate investigators for information.
It's one thing to try to obfuscate one's voting record as a politician. They all pull that stunt at one time or another. It's another altogether to come to New Orleans and lie to us.
McCain made the mistake of lying to New Orleanians on a storm-related issue four days into the current hurricane season, a season whose start has been marked by numerous lies told to us by the US Army Corps of Engineers about the integrity of the very floodwalls that fell apart in 2005.
Not only is McCain a liar, he's a stupid one at that.
Respect John McCain the war hero.
Reject John McCain the liar.
While the commercials ran for the Austria-Croatia match (Euro 08 group round), Kev looks at the scheduling guide to see when the Germany-Poland match starts. He looks up at me and says, "Dad, wouldn't it be so wrong if Germany scored on Poland inside the first minute?"
What a geek.
:-)
What a geek.
:-)
I have an extensive collection of reasons why my firstborn rejected all Florida Universities (mind you, Texas A&M was in his final three), but I never thought "wizardry" would be one of them:
Unbelievable. Even my son's Catholic high school has a "Magic Club," where the boys work up stage-magic routines. Magic tricks are great icebreakers, both in business and social settings. It's no surprise that a substitute teacher would do a trick or two when walking into the room. It gets the students' attention immediately and can be a great segue into other topics.
Asshats.
(h/t to The Burning Taper)
LAND 'O LAKES, Fla. -- A substitute teacher in Pasco County has lost his job after being accused of wizardry.
Teacher Jim Piculas does a magic trick where a toothpick disappears and then reappears.Piculas recently did the 30-second trick in front of a classroom at Rushe Middle School in Land 'O Lakes.
Piculas said he then got a call from the supervisor of teachers, saying he'd been accused of wizardry.
Unbelievable. Even my son's Catholic high school has a "Magic Club," where the boys work up stage-magic routines. Magic tricks are great icebreakers, both in business and social settings. It's no surprise that a substitute teacher would do a trick or two when walking into the room. It gets the students' attention immediately and can be a great segue into other topics.
Asshats.
(h/t to The Burning Taper)
I can't think of a better place for us to have an evening Tweetup than NOLA:
$70 all inclusive (dinner, beer, tax & gratuity)
Beer Tales: 6:30pm
Seating: 7:00pm
Full details on the Abita Website.
What say you, tweeple?
ABITA DINNER SERIES 2008
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
NOLA Restaurant
534 Saint Louis St.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 522-6652 for reservations
$70 all inclusive (dinner, beer, tax & gratuity)
Beer Tales: 6:30pm
Seating: 7:00pm
Full details on the Abita Website.
What say you, tweeple?
As crude oil shot up almost $10/bbl in one day, the anger of what that's going to do at the pump as consumers gas up their vehicles this summer spilled over to the mini-blogging service Twitter yesterday. My friend Greta Perry and I have an understanding about talking politics - we just don't, that way we don't piss each other off. Naturally, the Princess of Positive wasn't very happy with me because I fired back when some other folks took positions with which I disagree.
I make no apologies for that. In fact, I actually owe my liberal friends and colleagues an apology for ducking these situations in social networking environments in the past.
Not going to happen anymore.
If conservatives and/or Republicans don't want to discuss politics on Twitter, fine. I much prefer talking about food, drink, and streetcars in social settings anyway. Still, I'm not going to accept off-color jokes about liberals and Democrats. The outright lies of the Bush administration are a well-documented fact. The notion that Democrats are unpatriotic and do not support the military are also well-documented myths. If someone in a social networking situation tries to perpetuate those lies or myths, I'm going to challenge them.
Another position I will no longer tolerate is the "Well, I don't know about that" defense used by some who claim to be conservatives. They're quick with the quip, joke, or offensive remark, but when called out on that remark, they feign ignorance. "Well, I don't follow politics closely," they'll say. I'm then supposed to let the remark pass. Any attempt at a rejoinder is then regarded as rude.
Bullshit. If you don't want to hear my side of the story, don't crack the joke or make the comment in the first place. It's like an old-fashioned duel. if you took your shot first, you had to stand on your mark and let the other guy fire. If you didn't, the observers of the duel would shoot you. I'm done with the feign-innocence defense. If you can't run with the big dogs, keep your puppy ass on the porch.
Now back to your regularly scheduled tweeting. Let's talk about lunch!
I make no apologies for that. In fact, I actually owe my liberal friends and colleagues an apology for ducking these situations in social networking environments in the past.
Not going to happen anymore.
If conservatives and/or Republicans don't want to discuss politics on Twitter, fine. I much prefer talking about food, drink, and streetcars in social settings anyway. Still, I'm not going to accept off-color jokes about liberals and Democrats. The outright lies of the Bush administration are a well-documented fact. The notion that Democrats are unpatriotic and do not support the military are also well-documented myths. If someone in a social networking situation tries to perpetuate those lies or myths, I'm going to challenge them.
Another position I will no longer tolerate is the "Well, I don't know about that" defense used by some who claim to be conservatives. They're quick with the quip, joke, or offensive remark, but when called out on that remark, they feign ignorance. "Well, I don't follow politics closely," they'll say. I'm then supposed to let the remark pass. Any attempt at a rejoinder is then regarded as rude.
Bullshit. If you don't want to hear my side of the story, don't crack the joke or make the comment in the first place. It's like an old-fashioned duel. if you took your shot first, you had to stand on your mark and let the other guy fire. If you didn't, the observers of the duel would shoot you. I'm done with the feign-innocence defense. If you can't run with the big dogs, keep your puppy ass on the porch.
Now back to your regularly scheduled tweeting. Let's talk about lunch!
I saw a news report this week about how PFC Ross A. McGinnis "won" the Medal of Honor by sacrificing his life for his mates in Iraq. According to the official citation, PFC McGinnis was manning the machine gun of his HMMWV when someone threw a grenade into the hatch. Rather than jump out the vehicle, McGinnis fell back into the vehicle and covered the grenade. He went in face-up, so his back hit the grenade, his body absorbed the blast, and the lives of his team were saved.
What a man. I can't even begin to put myself in his place, much less contemplate such a sacrifice.
PFC McGinnis has earned all the praise we can give him, and the highest honor the Army can bestow isn't even enough.
I just wish there was a better way to describe this sacrifice than "winning" a medal. Ross McGinnis didn't win anything other than immortality as a hero. The Medal of Honor isn't the same as an Olympic medal. The price tag for this medal is too high, and usually involves someone dying.
In any case, blessings to PFC McGinnis for his sacrifice, and to his family and friends who will cherish and honor his memory.
What a man. I can't even begin to put myself in his place, much less contemplate such a sacrifice.
PFC McGinnis has earned all the praise we can give him, and the highest honor the Army can bestow isn't even enough.
I just wish there was a better way to describe this sacrifice than "winning" a medal. Ross McGinnis didn't win anything other than immortality as a hero. The Medal of Honor isn't the same as an Olympic medal. The price tag for this medal is too high, and usually involves someone dying.
In any case, blessings to PFC McGinnis for his sacrifice, and to his family and friends who will cherish and honor his memory.
