AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles came up with an answer to "what is the point of Google Followers." 

If you go to your iGoogle page (for those of you who have one), you can subscribe to your Google Reader.  All the blogs you are following have their posts show up, kind of like a combined RSS feed for all of the blogs you follow.  I, personally, very rarely visit my iGoogle page (though I do like my little hamster gadget...ha-ha), but this is a neat feature, and I might visit it more simply because of this.  I'll also be "following" more blogs.  I stopped joining after awhile, as I didn't see a point to it. 

So, thanks to "AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles"!  His link is above. 

Is it just me?  I won't drop on sites whose badges are:
1) Misspelled
2) The words run off the side of the badge, so you can only read half of it
-or-
3) Are using the "quick" badge provided by Entrecard.

My reasons are simple: most of these sites are there simply in hopes of getting someone to click on one of their links, which usually offer one of two products: payday loans or, uh, how should I put this, products for men who are insecure.  I cancel ads by people for these two things also.  I know the occasional new person used the "auto badge" (I did when I first started blogging), but I would rather accidentally miss a real blog than spend an hour sorting through 50 advertisement blogs (for lack of a better word). 

So, am I an Entrecard snob?

-and- as I have a short attention span and am a bit dense:

Can someone tell me what the hell the point of becoming a follower on someone's blog is?  I followed a few blogs I really liked at one time.  I've been all over Google trying to find that list as I wouldn't mind seeing what the blogs are up to. 
Is the "following" feature only for site owners?  If so, why would anyone "follow" a blog?

Is there a way to find a list of the blogs you yourself have followed?  If so, HOW!?!?

Yes, I realize there are benefits for the site owner, if they want to ask their followers a question or send a newsletter....but I have to admit, I've never received a question or newsletter from any blog I've followed....
Do these features even work? 

General McChrystal, the top U.S. war commander in Afghanistan, made remarks that insulted multiple people, President Obama among them.  These remarks, through an approved press interview and aide's loose mouths, made it into Rolling Stone magazine.  As you can imagine, those insulted were none to pleased.  McChrystal has issued an apology and had been called to Washington to personally explain his remarks to the President.  (I'd love to be in that meeting!) 

While an interesting story, it brings to mind many other ones, all dealing with the same issue:
Military men (and women) vs. Washington (both politicians and higher-ranking military)

Criticism of both (former) President Bush and President Obama has been echoed from military personnel from generals down to E-1's and E-2's.  (For those unfamiliar with military ranking, E-1's and E-2's are the lowest ranking personnel in the military).  Higher-ranking officers have been complained about by lower-ranking personnel.  Complaints cover a variety of issues, but mostly specific tactics, troop deployments (or lack thereof), and rules of engagement. 

While the average person is covered by free speech, one can question whether those in the military, having the President as a commander-in-chief and having higher ranking officers over them, should be allowed to criticize official policy.  They are, of course, required to follow those orders, but does that mean they cannot question them? 

So, as always, questions for my readers:

Should military personnel be allowed to criticize the President's official policy and actions on war?
Should military personnel be allow to criticize higher-ranking officer's official policy and action on war?

Why or why not?

For those interested in my opinion, I honestly can't decide.  While some criticism may point out valid concerns and things that need fixed; often, the lower-ranking personnel aren't privy to the "whole battle plan."  What they may see as foolish may very well be an extremely intelligent feint in overall strategy. 
An criticizing the President and higher-ranking officers in the mess hall (where they eat) is a bit different from having that same quote appear in a national magazine.  Of course, one could then argue that McChrystal's statements weren't for public consumption and were simply banter among the troops.

Sources:
"McChrystal Apologizes for Remarks in Profile, Summoned to White House." Fox News.  Link to article.

Well, I had a doctor's appointment today.  The only reason I post about these visits is because you have to hear it to believe it.  It's like a Seinfeld episode....an hour spent in situations that make you scratch your head and wonder if you wandered into the Twilight Zone.

1- I call the central appointment line to make an appointment.  This is the same number I've been using for the last two years.  They announce that my doctor is one of three that now books their appointments through a different phone number.  They give me the number, and also inform me that they only answer that phone generally between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  God give me strength. 

2- I call the new number.  It's 1:20 on Wednesday the 16th.  The guy at the other end says they can get me in at 1:30 next Wednesday.  I say this sounds great and verify that he is talking about the Wed. the 23rd.  His reply, "No, Wednesday the 16th."  I inform him that not only is it currently Wednesday the 16th (and that it has been all day), but that I cannot possibly reach the base within the next ten minutes.  This genius announces that he can't book an appointment for the same day (Huh?  Then why did you just try to do it?), and asked if I could come in the next morning at 7:50 a.m.

3- I show up at 7:35, 15 minutes ahead of time as ordered.  The doors are locked.  It's already 85 degrees out and 90% humidity.  I, being a genius, have brought not only a little fan (think old Southern plantation girl fan, not electric fan), but a magazine.  I stand and read.  And listen to a mother attempt to explain to her two kids why they have to stand in front of the doors for fifteen minutes.  Her explanation isn't really satisfying kids.  The kids announce that it is "stupid."  Kid's say the darndest things.  The doors open.  At 7:50.  I

4- When trying to get my record, I find that I now not only don't exist as my husband's dependent, but that my name has miraculously become misspelled in the last two months.  I pray to God to keep my temper, put on my "I'm trying to be nice, but you're a complete idiot" smile, and ask to talk to whoever is in charge.  The E-3 looks very nervous and goes to find a civilian.

Turns out, they're switching over to electronic records.  But since I was prior active duty, the computer keeps removing me as my husband's dependent and making me active duty again.  God save me...I'm going to get arrested for going AWOL next. 
(I love how they put that..."the computer is"....like it has a mind of its own). 

Not only that, but instead of defaulting to my maiden name, which I had when I was active duty, it's using a misspelling of my married name.  I'm no longer "Landsberger".....I'm "Lansberger".  It involves actually writing down the letters on a piece of paper and holding it up to convey this.  For some reason "The 'd' is missing between the 'n' and 's'" isn't making sense to them. 

God help me.  And we want these people to take over everyone's health care. 


Adsense:

There are many things about being "married to the military" that are interesting. After much thought, debate, and laughing, I came up with...drumroll, please...

"The Top Ten Most Annoying Things About the Military"
For a recap, we've already done 6-10:
#10: Military Clocks Run in a Different Universe than Regular Clocks
#9: Your "Worth as a Person" is Defined by Your Husband's Rank
#8: The Uniforms
#7: It's Impossible to Get a Damn Vacation (aka "Leave")
#6: If Something Goes Wrong, It's Always Someone Else's Fault
#5: Military Health Care

and.....drumroll (again)......

#4: Being Required to Give Your Significant Other "Special Treatment"

First of all, NOT talking about the guys who have been in war.  They deserve all the special treatment we can give them.  I'm talking about the everyday soldiers and sailors, who put in a day's work like most people. 

Part 1: For example, when my husband is on sea duty, he goes out to sea for three months.  He comes in-port and they have about a month "re-fit" (aka- fixing the boat), and then the other crew goes out for three months.  During those three months, they're in off-crew, which basically, in non-military speak, means there isn't shit to do.  Then the boat comes back.  They do a month of re-fit.  Repeat forever...or until they build a better sub. 

Now, here's the annoying part.  
When my dear husband is out to sea, obviously, I do all of the cooking, cleaning, bill paying, taking care of the cats, calling/e-mailing family to ensure that we are still alive (for some reason, everyone in the midwest are scared of these hurricane things). 

When he's in re-fit, they're soooo busy working long days, that I do all the cooking, all...well, you get the idea.

Now, here's the kicker.  When he's in off-crew, he has about two hours of work a day.  He's ALWAYS home.  But I still do everything because......."But, honey, it's the only time I get off!".  
I feel like throwing the vacuum cleaner at him and saying, "Great, honey, it happens to be the only time I get off, too!!!" 

Part 2: While our brave boys in blue (very ugly blue, see earlier post on new uniforms) are off making sure the Atlantic doesn't decide to disappear, us wives are at home.  We, of course, write them letters, make plans for when they get back, etc.  Any loving wife is going to go easy on her husband the first week or so he's back.

Apparently, though, the military feels the need to instruct us.
On two of the many patrols he's gone on, us wives who showed up to greet the boat were given a little speech.
We were told we needed to understand that our husband may do ungentlemanly acts such as burp and fart a lot, and to cut them a little slack, they've been underway with guys for three months.
We need not complain about the boat stink...if we just wash their clothes a few times, it will go away.  And not to be surprised by everything being dirty.  Yes, they do have washing machines under way, but the guys generally don't use it the last few weeks, since their wives will soon be available.
We were told that they may want to spend some time with the guys and not be at home with the kids, it is a hard adjustment to make coming back in port.
Etc., Etc., Etc.

Well, I don't know about the other wives, but if the military thinks these big, strong men can run a nuclear submarine and carry guns, I think they can manage to say 'hi' to the kids before going out and getting drunk with the guys.  

Lastly, another example of military intelligence:

Ironically enough, about a week ago I wrote a post called “Where Do We Draw the Line (if anywhere) on Free Speech?”  

I’m sure most of you have heard the controversy surrounding the comments of (former, as of yesterday) White House News Correspondent Helen Thomas.  I’m not even going to get into the back story which involves Israel boarding some ships and some people getting killed.  The back story is an endless “he said, she said” that is reminiscent of high school except we ended up with dead bodies instead of a crying teenager in the girl’s room.  It’s beside the point to this story.  

Asked about the recent “situation”, Helen Thomas stated that the Jews “should get the hell out of Palestine” and go back to where they came from.  When asked to illuminate where they came from, she answered Poland, Germany, the United States, anywhere.  

The media is seriously off-base with this story.  They are taking two issues and rolling them into one.

Issue #1: Should what Helen Thomas said have resulted in her losing her job (and that’s what happened, euphemisms aside).

Issue #2: Does Israel- and however far they extend the borders, depending on who you talk to- belong only to the Jews?  

On issue #1, I think she should be able to say what she wants without having to fear losing her job.  It’s called freedom of speech.  I can’t stand it when some politician, radio commentator, media person, celebrity, etc. says something and all sudden their entire career blows up in smoke.  Yes, the media reports and stories should be unbiased.  But REPORTING stuff without bias is completely different than expecting every person who is involved in the media to be completely neutral.  No one is completely neutral.  That’s why “round-table” discussions are so important on news channels.  

On issue #2, a ton of people, especially some conservatives (I’m sorry to say), are making asinine comments such as “well, hasn’t she read the Bible?”  (Oh, and newsflash, the Arabs are descended from Abraham via his son Ishmael.  I don’t see anyone jumping and down and proclaiming their rights to the land they live in and the type of government they want.)  

Uh, sorry, YOU CANNOT PICK ONE PARTICULAR TIME AND SAY EVERYONE SHOULD MOVE BACK TO WHERE THERE WERE THEN. It doesn’t work.  Both Helen Thomas and her opposition are trying to make this argument.  They’re both failing.  

Okay, you want to go with the Bible.  Fine.  First, let’s pick which part of the Bible.  The part where the Jews lived in Egypt?  The part where they were temporarily one country and never captured all of the land given to them?  The part where Israel was divided into two kingdoms?  The part where most of Israel was dispersed throughout the Babylonian empire?  The part where the Romans controlled via a local governor (after Herod) Israel?  The part where the Christians were spread throughout multiple countries?  Which part exactly are we using as our basis that any group of people has a divine right to a certain bit of land?  

How about we decide where everyone lived in 1500 is where we should live?  Then everyone in America, with the exception of the Native Americans, needs to find out where their ancestors are from and move back there.  I had a Native American accost me at the Wal-mart pharmacy (long story) and state that he was mad because he wasn’t getting free college and that all the Europeans needed to move back to Europe.  Since I’m a pale-skinned red-head, I’m not real sure why he thought I would agree with him.  

How about the beginning of large agricultural centers and our first cities?  We could all cram back into the Mesopotamian cradle and Africa?  You know, all 6 billion of us.  

Hell, science has shown that every human on Earth can be traced back to Mitochondrial Eve, who lived in a “village” in Africa.  Let’s all go move back to that village!

Or let’s pick today.  That’s it!  Everybody go grab a gun.  We’ll give everyone ten days to fight for their land and that’s where everyone (and their descendants) will live….for the next six thousand years.  

I know this is going to piss some people off, but I get so tired of people announcing that THEY ALONE know where borders should be drawn, who should live where, why, etc.  I DON’T HAVE ALL THE ANWERS.  But, another newsflash for the media, talking heads, and the political correctness Nazis (no pun intended).  Neither do you.

Excuse my language, but this has been a hell of a week.  Today was just the cherry on top.    (Side effects from getting off a medication, cat peeing in my car, cat acting like a little bitch towards the other cat, and I hit a puppy today....no, I'm not joking). 

First of all, WTF is up with Obama's hair....is it going gray overnight?  Or did he just stop dyeing it? 

WTF?  I dropped by a church garage sale today.  I realize people donate stuff, but do you really think the Baptist church should be selling "The Complete Kama Sutra" at their garage sale?  (now, the real question is: did I buy it?)

WTF is up with people taking pictures of the oil-covered birds, but not cleaning them?  They keep showing pics of oily birds...why don't you go catch the thing and clean it?  Or call the wildlife rescue folks who are down there cleaning the birds up?

The guy who was suspected of being responsible for that Holloway's girl's disappearance (in Aruba a few years ago) was arrested in Peru for killing a student.  The "killings" took place exactly 5 years apart, to the day.  Hmmm.....I don't want to jump the gun, but that seems to be a little bit more than a coincidence.

WTF is up with tourists?  Look, you're from the North, it's 100 degrees out, the sun is blazing.  PUT ON SUNSCREEN!  AND DON'T TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT!  Yes, we can run around without it....we're permanently tanned, even in the winter.  Trust me, when you're actually purple from sunburn, you'll wish you had listened.
On the tourists rant, uhhh....why would you come to the coast and then eat at a "nation-wide" fast casual seafood restaurant?  Why don't you try one of the local restaurants where the seafood was caught today or yesterday?
I don't go to Alaska in the winter, run around without a coat, and eat at Applebee's.     

Well, I got another article published with "The Spiteful Critic."  It is the 10 Most Outrageous Political Quotes of 2010.  I have to be honest, though, I insulted the left and the right in the article, and somehow, the insults to the right were extended even further than I had put them, and the insults to the left disappeared?  Oh, well, it still turned out to be pretty funny.  Plus, the editor added the actual clips of the quotes, which are hilarious!  Check it out: Link to article.


Also, if you're bored, here are a couple of my book reviews:
"Racing Towards Armageddon"
"The Masonic Myth"
"Astrology Guide 2010"
"Love Your Body, Love Your Life"

As for BP, I have seen so many blogs and news stories on BP, that I'm not even going to add my two cents worth....but kind of curious about what you guys think?
Is the government doing a good job?
Is BP doing a good job?
Are the appropriate people being blamed for the (ongoing) failures?