16 December 2006

No jumps for Paras as MoD cuts £1bn

I knew the MoD was strapped for cash but this is crazy.

No jumps for Paras as MoD cuts £1bn

Parachute training in the Army is set to be halted for four years as part of a £1 billion cost-cutting programme by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The proposals mean that Britain will be without a parachute-trained force for the first time since the Second World War when the Parachute Regiment was created on the orders of Winston Churchill.

Documents leaked to The Sunday Telegraph reveal that no new recruits or even serving members of the Parachute Regiment or airborne forces will be trained in military parachuting from next year until 2011. It will then take a year to get the Army's 2,500 paratroopers up to scratch.

09 December 2006

Reformation Online

I believe this site is serious but I know I can't take it as that. An interesting read for sure.

Reformation Online

07 December 2006

West Tennessee Terrorist Gets 30 Years

Why isn't this all over the news? If he had been a Muslim it would have been. A terrorist is a terrorist regardless of their religion.

West Tennessee Terrorist Gets 30 Years

06 December 2006

Culture Shock on Capitol Hill: House to Work 5 Days a Week

Now that the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives in January it looks like there will be a few changes. One of them is that the House will work 5 days a week while in session.

Culture Shock on Capitol Hill: House to Work 5 Days a Week

From the article; this is just too funny:

"Keeping us up here eats away at families," said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who typically flies home on Thursdays and returns to Washington on Tuesdays. "Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families -- that's what this says."

What makes this guy so special? Why doesn't he move his family to the Capitol to be with him. The House isn't in session 365 days a year so he can go home during the breaks. Does he think the Democrats don't have families either? What about the men and women in the military who are deployed who are away from their families for months, if not years at a time. This guy ran for office knowing that he would be working in Washington D.C. If he's not willing to put in the time required maybe he should resign or find another line of work.

04 December 2006

Gethuman

If even a quarter of this database is correct then it's a gold mine. Definitely worth bookmarking.

Gethuman

03 December 2006

11 November 2006

Veterans Day Thanks

To all my fellow veterans past, present and future; thank you for your service.

10 November 2006

Democrats secure sweep to power in Congress - Yahoo! News

I've held off to see what the final results were but the Democrats pulled it off. Now maybe we'll start to see some bi-partisanship by the President if he wants to get anything done. I feel better about the direction this country will be going right now...but stay tuned, it's going to be an interesting couple of years.

Democrats secure sweep to power in Congress - Yahoo! News: "Fri Nov 10, 5:40 AM ET"

11 October 2006

THE DARKNESS - HAWKINS QUITS THE DARKNESS

Too bad as I really loved their stuff. Some couldn't get past Justin's vocals but to me it was part of the appeal.

THE DARKNESS - HAWKINS QUITS THE DARKNESS

04 October 2006

The attempt to ban books is alive and well

The attempt to ban books is alive and well it seems:

Ga. mother seeks Harry Potter ban

"Laura Mallory, a mother of four, told a hearing officer for the Gwinnett County Board of Education on Tuesday that the popular fiction series is an "evil" attempt to indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion.

Parent criticizes book 'Fahrenheit 451'

"It's just all kinds of filth," said Alton Verm, adding that he had not read "Fahrenheit 451." "The words don't need to be brought out in class. I want to get the book taken out of the class."
He looked through the book and found the following things wrong with the book: discussion of being drunk, smoking cigarettes, violence, "dirty talk," references to the Bible and using God's name in vain. He said the book's material goes against their religions beliefs. The Verms go to Grand Parkway Church in Porter."

I hope these people never find out about the internet.

28 September 2006

27 September 2006

POWDER PUFF SPOOKS KEITH - New York Post Online Edition: Gossip

Isn't it nice to see the NY Post treat an act of terrorism as something to make fun of. If this had happened to one of their reporters they'd be singing a different tune.

POWDER PUFF SPOOKS KEITH - New York Post Online Edition: Gossip: "A note inside warned Olbermann, who's a frequent critic of President Bush's policies, that it was payback for some of his on-air shtick."

'Richard is winning his fight'

You tell 'em Jeremy, and get well soon Richard.
The Sun Online - News: 'Richard is winning his fight'

17 September 2006

Andrew Sullivan | The Daily Dish: What We've Lost

Wow, I can't add anything to what this guy has written other than I agree with him.

Andrew Sullivan | The Daily Dish: What We've Lost: "http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/6063789"

12 September 2006

08 September 2006

Mark Stanway

Nice to see Mark Stanway get a little press coverage. What an awesome keyboard player and a essential part of what makes Magnum sound like Magnum.
Guitar Amps by Hughes&Kettner - News

06 September 2006

USATODAY.com - The myth of immaculate warfare

There are many things that I disagree with Mr. Peters on but not this article. It may sound strange coming from a career Air Force man but I'm the guy who loaded the "pickups" as he put it. While we need a few Ferraris we definitely need more pickups in this new era. We need more C-17s as they are the workhorses that project our power, along with the Navy's carriers. But cargo planes aren't as glamorous as fighter planes sad to say.
USATODAY.com - The myth of immaculate warfare

22 August 2006

Stargate SG-1 cancelled, Atlantis renewed

They say all good things must come to an end but this absolutely makes no sense! One of the best shows on television period and they're going to shut it down. At least Atlantis will live on but I'm gutted by this. The cast and crew have been a part of my life for the last 10 years. You will be missed.

Stargate SG-1 cancelled, Atlantis renewed

Still angry...

Activists Try to Curtail Hotels' In-Room Porn

Just another example of a religious group trying to impose their moral beliefs on everyone else because they're offended.
Activists Try to Curtail Hotels' In-Room Porn

I'm offended that they are offended.

20 August 2006

Red Green shorts

If you ever want a good laugh this is a show to check out. Keep your stick on the ice.

19 August 2006

16 August 2006

Black Jack rescinds housing regulation

Good to hear that this family is "allowed" to live together. How kind of the city of Blackjack.... (that was sarcasm by the way)

Black Jack rescinds housing regulation

12 August 2006

AN-124


AN-124
Originally uploaded by matneym.

Side view of the AN-124 Condor at the Scott Air Force base airshow today. A very big plane indeed!

B-25 Nose Art


B-25 Nose Art
Originally uploaded by matneym.

Nose art from one of the B-25s at the air show today.

09 August 2006

04 August 2006

Funny political joke

Know the best way to keep College Republicans from showing up at an event?

Make sure there are some Army recruiters there...

Uncle Sam wants you – even if you’re 42 years old

Me thinks recruiting isn't going as well as they would have us believe.
Army Times - News - More News.

29 July 2006

Bush submits new terror detainee bill - Yahoo! News

Can we just stomp on the Constitution a few more time for fun? What is this country coming to?
Bush submits new terror detainee bill - Yahoo! News

Unfortunately this quote from Star Wars is so relevant: "So this is how liberty dies, to the sound of thunderous applause" - Padme.

Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Cover Up - TMZ.com

Mel, Mel, Mel...maybe he's been taking lessons from Ann Coulter. I've loved him in his movies but he seems to need some help.

Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Cover Up - TMZ.com

25 July 2006

Tornado Friday!

Well, I've finally got my internet service back up so I'm catching up. If you didn't hear we had 2 tornadoes blow through Troy last Friday. We were lucky at the Matney house and only had some minor damage, nothing that can't be easily fixed. Many of my neighbours weren't as lucky. We were without power for just over 24 hours. I've never seen so many trees down and destruction from a storm in my life. Below are a few links that show some of the damage in the area.

KSDK NewsChannel 5 - Photogallery

Storm photos

At one point over half a million people throughout the St. Louis area had no power. Even today some still don't have it back. Thankfully all my friends and family are safe.

Vacation Photos

Finally getting around to posting some photos from my vacation out to Oregon earlier in the month. Enjoy!

Vacation Photos

16 July 2006

Spanish MPs push for apes' rights

An interesting concept and sure to generate a lot of controversy. This very subject has been in quite a few science fiction books that I have read over the years. As our understanding of animals, intelligence and how animals communicate increase I forsee more of this kind of debate.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Spanish MPs push for apes' rights

11 July 2006

Politicians need not abandon religion - Yahoo! News

An interesting article by Senator Obama.

Politicians need not abandon religion - Yahoo! News

Pink Floyd Founder Dies - Yahoo! News

I've never been a big fan of Pink Floyd but there is no denying their impact on rock music history. Without Syd there would have been no Pink Floyd. May he RIP.

Pink Floyd Founder Dies - Yahoo! News

Fallen Wiccan soldier left with no memorial

This is downright shameful. This man died serving his country and the VA treats him like this soley because his religion is Wicca. Shame on the VA!

Chron.com | Fallen Wiccan soldier left with no memorial

09 July 2006

Magnumania in Oregon

Here's one of me with me Magnumania shirt at Crater Lake, Oregon.

 Posted by Picasa

27 June 2006

Effort to outlaw flag burning fails in Senate - Yahoo! News

The American people and the Constitution won today. May the flag fly free!

Effort to outlaw flag burning fails in Senate - Yahoo! News

President Freezes Terrorists' Assets

All this outrage from the left and right over a program that was announced by the President himself back 0n 24 September 2001. Sheesh!

President Freezes Terrorists' Assets

Oregon State wins College World Series - Yahoo! News

I've always been a Duck fan in regards to the in-state rivalry but congratulations Oregon State! Love to see one of the home state teams win the big one.

Oregon State wins College World Series - Yahoo! News

Oregon State wins College World Series - Yahoo! News

I've always been a Duck fan in regards to the in-state rivalry but congratulations Oregon State! Love to see one of the home state teams win the big one.

Oregon State wins College World Series - Yahoo! News

17 June 2006

Today's video - Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction

The first time I ever saw this video I instantly became a Zodiac Mindwarp & the Love Reaction fan.

U.S. bounces back to tie Italy 1-1 - Yahoo! News

Nice game gentlemen! You definitely held your own against a great Italian team. The refs certainly didn't make things easy for you, or Italy for that matter. Now all we need is to bet Ghana on Thursday!!!

U.S. bounces back to tie Italy 1-1 - Yahoo! News

15 June 2006

Google Earth update

If you haven't ever used Google Earth you're missing quite a treat. For those who do but haven't heard there is a new release, Beta 4. Haven't had any problems with it yet. I've got a lot of places bookmarked that I used to live at and favourite places I've visited. Anyone want to swap kml files?

Google Earth - Home

Rush X3

Look what came in the post today.... Woooohoooo!!! Time to fire up the ol' DVD player and 5.1 sound.


Bowling For Soup - Emily video

Today's video is Emily by Bowling For Soup. Fantastic band and they have some funny vids.

11 June 2006

Thunderhead

A Rush tribute band that I went and saw last night. A very enjoyable time and a great bunch of guys.

Thunderhead

02 June 2006

30 May 2006

Magnum in the studio

Magnum are back in the studio working on their next album. Al Barrow has set up a nice little video podcast to watch so head over and see what the guys are up to.

magnumonline.co.uk

29 May 2006

Memorial Day

I didn't forget as we were away all weekend (see me previous post) but today is Memorial Day here in the United States. The day we pay respect to the men and women who have fallen defending our country and of our allies who have also died in the cause of liberty and freedom. May you all R.I.P.

Memorial Day Weekend

Just got back from Wisconsin where we spent Memorial Day weekend with the in-laws. We kept busy helping them get ready for their new house to be put on the foundation on Tuesday. But it wasn't all work as I did get to play a little. Here's me on the quad having a little fun.



23 May 2006

Chron.com | Veterans' ID Theft May Be Largest Ever

They waited two weeks to inform the FBI???? Someone needs to be fired right now.

Chron.com | Veterans' ID Theft May Be Largest Ever: "Veterans Affairs officials waited two weeks to call in the FBI to investigate the theft of sensitive personal data, delaying a warning to 26.5 million veterans now at risk in one of the nation's largest security breaches. Lawmakers from both parties demanded answers."

21 May 2006

Iceland's Silvia Night Goes Crazy

Guess she was a wee bit upset... LOL!

YouTube - Eurovision Song Contest - Iceland's Silvia Night Goes Crazy

Unleash the Fury!

Unleash the fury! Went to Pops last night and saw Yngwie Malmsteen unleash the fury on us. I do have to say the man is an impressive guitarist but...it didn't do a lot for me. His playing is phenomenal but everyone else in the band is just there in the background. The songs themselves aren't really what I would call songs. Just a vehicle for him to solo and do guitar histronics. Not that there is anything wrong with that or that at times I don't want to see and hear it. But after seeing Steve Vai last year and what he does with his band I was left underwhelmed by Yngwie.

On a more positive note the opening band was Orange Sky from Trinidad. I was impressed by them as it seemed was the crowd. The lead singer/guitarist put it this way: "we aren't out to be the loudest or heaviest, just to make good music". That they did so check them out.

18 May 2006

New music this week - Hoobastank

The latest CD in my collections is Hoobastank - Every Man For Himself. If you like their previous releases you will like this one too.

17 May 2006

16 May 2006

New Air Force dress uniform?

Have to admit it doesn't look to bad. The colour might need to be a little lighter blue as to get away from the stormtrooper look though.
Flickr: Photos from Paplikaplik

14 May 2006

13 May 2006

!!! BREAD IS DANGEROUS !!!

!!! BREAD IS DANGEROUS !!!

Research on bread indicates that:

1. More than 98 percent of convicted felons are bread users.

2. Fully HALF of all children who grow up in bread-consuming households score below average on standardized tests.

3. In the 18th century, when virtually all bread was baked in the home, the average life expectancy was less than 50 years; infant mortality rates were unacceptably high; many women died in childbirth; and diseases such as typhoid, yellow fever, and influenza ravaged whole nations.

4. More than 90 percent of violent crimes are committed within 24 hours of eating bread.

5. Bread is made from a substance called "dough." It has been proven that as little as one pound of dough can be used to suffocate a mouse. The average American eats more bread than that in one month!

6. Primitive tribal societies that have no bread exhibit a low incidence of cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and osteoporosis.

7. Bread has been proven to be addictive. Subjects deprived of bread and given only water to eat begged for bread after as little as two days.

8. Bread is often a "gateway" food item, leading the user to "harder" items such as butter, jelly, peanut butter, and even cold cuts.

9. Bread has been proven to absorb water. Since the human body is more than 90 percent water, it follows that eating bread could lead to your body being taken over by this absorptive food product, turning you into a soggy, gooey bread-pudding person.

10. Newborn babies can choke on bread.

11. Bread is baked at temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit! That kind of heat can kill an adult in less than one minute.

12. Most American bread eaters are utterly unable to distinguish between significant scientific fact and meaningless statistical babbling.

In light of these frightening statistics, it has been proposed that the following bread restrictions be made:

1. No sale of bread to minors.

2. A nationwide "Just Say No To Toast" campaign, complete celebrity TV spots and bumper stickers.

3. A 300 percent federal tax on all bread to pay for all the societal ills we might associate with bread.

4. No animal or human images, nor any primary colors (which may appeal to children) may be used to promote bread usage.

5. The establishment of "Bread-free" zones around schools.

DOJ Moves to Dismiss AT&T Class Action under Cover of Night

State secrets, warrantless wiretaps....

EFF: DOJ Moves to Dismiss AT&T Class Action under Cover of Night

04 May 2006

Students Disciplined For Facebook Content

Another example of the government intruding into our lives. What right does the school have to do this? It was away from the school, in the privacy of their own home and yet the school is dictating their lives now. If you think about it this is related to the story I posted below about the teacher getting fired for something she did in her past that wasn't illegal. What's happening to our freedoms?

KSDK NewsChannel 5 - Students Disciplined For Facebook Content

WBIR.COM - Teacher fired for making adult movie 11 years ago

Is this the direction our country truly is headed? This woman has turned her life around but that doesn't matter. How many more good people are going to have their lives ruined by something that happened in their past that has no bearing on what they are doing now. Just sad...

WBIR.COM - Teacher fired for making adult movie 11 years ago

03 May 2006

Top 10 sci-fi films

Not a bad list. I haven't seen the original Solaris but the new version with George Clooney wasn't too bad.

Guardian Unlimited | Science | Top 10 sci-fi films

What if...

An interesting article on the BBC that poses some moral dilemmas.

BBC NEWS | Magazine | What if...: "Suppose you could save five
lives by taking one - what would be the correct thing to do?"

26 April 2006

I miss my car...

Man, do I miss England and driving this car. It was only a 518 but there was nothing better than driving through the East Anglia countryside listening to Magnum. Those are memories I will always treasure.

 Posted by Picasa

Don't take that picture

Here she is again, the big chicken.  Posted by Picasa

It's Cookie!

Here's a picture of Cookie out on the lawn. She was acting like a 'fraidy cat tonight when I got the camera out.

 Posted by Picasa

24 March 2006

www.myspace.com/thunderonline

One of my favourite all time bands. If you have a Myspace account give 'em a listen (and add them to your friends!).

www.myspace.com/thunderonline

17 March 2006

RIP Millard A. Delsart

My wife's grandfather passed away this last Saturday. He was kind, loved his family and was a man of great faith. May Millard rest in peace; you will be greatly missed and my life was better for knowing you.
Green Bay Press-Gazette - Delsart, Millard A.

German corpses await Czech burial

Sad story.
BBC NEWS | Europe | German corpses await Czech burial

30 January 2006

'Pet police, ma'am.

Sheesh! I thought we passed some dumb laws here in the US but then again the Brits aren't too far behind. I should have remembered though after living there. Nothing like the government telling us what to do every moment of our lives.

Britain, UK news from The Times and The Sunday Times - Times Online

28 January 2006

01 January 2006

Rhein Main is gone: Air Force Hands Over Keys to German Base

I spent 4 years stationed at Rhein Main, 1993 - 1997. It's a sad day knowing that it is gone. A lot of history was made in part to the existence of the base. She will be missed.

ABC News: Air Force Hands Over Keys to German Base